Provided herein is a process for preparing a microparticulate complex of a particle-forming component (“PFC”) and a nucleic acid-like component (“NAC”) in a monophasic composition comprising water and a water-miscible organic solvent. Also provided is a microparticulate complex that comprises a particle-forming component complexed to a nucleic acid-like component, and a composition comprising water and the microparticulate complex. Further provided is a method of delivery of a nucleicacid-like component to a cell or to a patient by contacting the cell with or administering to the patient a composition comprising water and the microparticulate complex described herein. Still further, a charge-changing composition represented by the formula A-X—B is provided.