Moving nucleic acids into cells

Transfection is the deliberate introduction of nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. Common transfection examples include introducing DNA plasmids that have gene inserts for expression, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) for targeted gene silencing.

Methods of delivery:

  • Cationic lipid- or polymer-based transfection reagents
  • Viral-mediated transduction (nucleic acid packaging within a virus vector)
  • Electroporation (physical disruption of membrane for entry)
  • Proprietary, chemically modified siRNAs
 

About Turbofect

Cationic lipid-or polymer-based reagents are the most common means of transfection and suitable to most cell types. Transfection reagents couple a nucleic acid or an expression plasmid to a cationic lipid or polymer producing a liposome that interacts with the cell membrane and results in endocytosis of the molecule.

Viral-mediated transduction is a good alternative for difficult-to-transfect cell lines, with the added beneficial option of stable cell line creation. DNA within expression vectors can be packaged into viral particles, and then introduced into cells. The virus particle infects the cells and the construct is integrated into the genome, causing the internal host machinery to replicate the exogenous nucleic acids.

Electroporation is a physical means of delivery that is usually the harshest to the cells because it disrupts the cell membrane creating entry for the nucleic acid. This is a good choice for hard-to-transfect cell lines but results in the highest cell death.

Transfection can also occur in vivo. With live animal systems, nucleic acids are delivered systemically or locally to target tissues. In animal models there are additional factors to consider, including the presence of nucleases and the animal's innate inflammatory response, which can interfere with transfection efficiency.

Optimizing transfection protocols ensures maximal nucleic acid uptake by a majority of cells while minimizing cytotoxicity. Maximal transfection efficiency benefits the entire downstream workflow, which can encompass analysis of recombinant clones, gene expression, or gene silencing studies.


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