Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for the delivery of nucleic acids. In an embodiment the invention includes a controlled release device including a polymeric matrix and a nucleic acid delivery construct disposed within the polymeric matrix. The nucleic acid delivery construct can include a nucleic acid molecule and a peptide molecule. The nucleic acid delivery construct can be configured to exhibit elution properties of a peptide from the polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix can be configured to elute the nucleic acid delivery construct. Other embodiments are included herein.
