Targeting is one of the primary considerations in designing a specific and efficient gene delivery system. Here, an angiogenic endothelial cell-targeted polymeric gene delivery carrier was developed by conjugating an alpha(v)beta3/alpha(v)beta5 integrin-binding RGD peptide, ACDCRGDCFC, into the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) via a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer. The incorporation of PEG into PEI improved the poor physicochemical properties of PEI-DNA complexes. At a neutral charge ratio, DNA complexes with PEI were polydisperse and substantially aggregated, whereas DNA complexes with PEI-g-1PEG-RGD were homogeneous with 100-200 nm effective diameter. Their surface charge was also significantly reduced due to the charge shielding effect of PEG. However, the extensive grafting of PEI with PEG was shown to inhibit the DNA condensation process, significantly decreasing transfection efficiency. In in vitro transfection experiments with angiogenic endothelial cells, PEI-g-1PEG-RGD showed an approximately fivefold increase in transfection efficiency over PEI, due to an integrin-mediated internalization pathway. PEI-g-1PEG-RGD also exhibited high specificity to angiogenic endothelial cells compared with normal endothelial cells, which was confirmed by in vitro transfection experiments with non-targeting PEI-g-1PEG-RAE in angiostatic endothelial cells.

The growing capabilities of computers and multimedia technology provide an exciting opportunity for boosting technology-based education in schools, universities, and corporate training. Multimedia modules provide the advantage of visualization of highly mathematical subjects and abstract concepts, intuitive learning and conceptual understanding, and the ability to participate in "what-if" scenarios. Graphics, animation, video clips, virtual labs, and guided use of simulation software introduce students to a challenging new world with all the advantages of learn-by-doing possibilities. The CAEME Center at the University of Utah was established to focus on the development of highly interactive multimedia lessons in science and engineering education. This article provides an overview of the Center's products and describes a new multimedia lesson on antenna theory and design.

This paper presents two modules of multimedia lessons developed for the center of excellence for multimedia education (CAEME) CD-ROM series. The first module is a lesson on vibration and wave motion, and the other is concerned with lessons of mechanics. The developed lessons contain several multimedia assets, i.e., text, graphics, audio, video, movie, and animation. In developing these modules, emphasis has been placed on increasing the interactivity, and hence is expected to be of broader use by seniors in high schools and freshman in engineering.

The growing capabilities of computers and multimedia technology provide an exciting opportunity for boosting technology‐based education in schools, universities, and corporate training. Multimedia modules provide the advantage of visualization of highly mathematical subjects and abstract concepts, intuitive learning and conceptual understanding, and the ability to participate in “what‐if” scenarios. Graphics, animation, video clips, virtual labs, and guided use of simulation software introduce students to a challenging new world with all the advantages of learn‐by‐doing possibilities. The CAEME Center at the University of Utah was established to focus on the development of highly interactive multimedia lessons in science and engineering education. This article provides an overview of the Center's products and describes a new multimedia lesson on antenna theory and design. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 8: 11–17, 2000