Transfection

What is Transfection?

Transfection is the process of delivering nucleic acids and small proteins into eukaryotic cells. This can be achieved by using chemical transfection reagents, electroporation, viral transduction, and several other less common methods. The ultimate goal of transfection is to deliver nucleic acids into cells so as to investigate gene function. This can be accomplished by expression of exogenous genes or through knockdown of endogenous genes. Manipulation of gene expression is a core technique in research areas such as drug development, cancer research, gene therapy, and tissue engineering.

Figure: Chemical Transfection of Eukaryotic Cells - 1) Transfection reagent is combined with nucleic acid to form positively charged transfection complexes. 2) Complexes are added to cells, and bind to the negatively charged cell surfaces via electrostatic interactions. 3) Cells internalize complexes via endocytosis into membrane vesicles known as endosomes. 4) Transfection reagent destabilizes endosomal membrane 5) Complexes escape from endosomes and release nucleic acid cargo in cytoplasm (siRNA, miRNA, or large RNA are generally active in cytoplasm). 6) DNA must localize to the nucleus, where gene expression cassette is transcribed (Figure Mirus Bio).

Our partner Mirus Bio is a leading manufacturer of transfection reagents for chemical and/or electroporation delivery of nucleic acids to eukaryotic cells. They offer transfection solutions for basic research & drug development.

Features

• Two decades of nucleic acid delivery experience
• Delivery of plasmid DNA, siRNA, miRNA, mRNA, viral RNA, oligonucleotides, and CRISPR/Cas9 components to eukaryotic cells
• Broad-spectrum delivery or cell line-specific transfection
• Huge citations database – over 2,700 published citations
• High transfection efficiency – also in novel genome editing applications
• Low toxicity – for improved cell viability
• Convenient protocols
• Advanced solutions for traditionally difficult-to-transfect cell types
• Budget-friendly