PEI-cellulose nanocrystal hybrids as efficient siRNA delivery agents-Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation.

•We report a novel cellulose nanocrystals/PEI based siRNA delivery system.•CNCs/PEI/siRNA formed 290nm – long nanorods.•CNCs/PEI nanoparticles performed a total protection of siRNA against RNase.•Complexation of siRNA to CNCs/PEI helped its cellular uptake.•Viability of CNCs/PEI/siRNA transfected cell was investigated in two cell lines.