PEI Transfection Reagents

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a cationic synthetic polymer commonly as a transfection reagent for delivering genes of interest into eukaryotic cells. A strongly positively charged molecule, it binds negatively charged DNA and RNA while retaining a net cationic charge for cellular entry. PEI offers several benefits for transfection, such as its defined chemical composition, ease of manipulation, safety, and stability. It is known to be stable in most buffering conditions at a wide pH range. PEI-based transfection reagents eliminate the risks associated with viral vectors, such as potential oncogenesis.