Transfection reagents are used to introduce DNA or RNA into eukaryotic cells. Transfection reagents help overcome the barrier caused by the negative charges of both the nucleic acids and the cellular membrane by giving an overall positive charge to the DNA or RNA through the formation of transfection complexes. This interaction is necessary to trigger cellular uptake of the complexes and subsequent release from vesicles into the cytoplasm. Transfection reagents are often cationic lipids or polymers and include calcium phosphate and diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran. Visit the supplier pages for more product information.
While immortalized cell lines traditionally have served as the common targets of transfection, primary cells are often preferred as they more closely resemble the in-vivo nature of tissues. However with the variability of primary cell types, there are challenges for efficient delivery of DNA or RNA. A given cell type may be amenable to a certain method but not another- and there a variety to choose from, such as by viral vector, polymer, liposomal and non-liposomal lipids, electroporation, and even magnetic particles. Fortunately, a number of commercial reagents have been demonstrated to successfully transfect a range of primary cells such as neurons, HUVECs, melanoma cells, among other difficult-to-transfect cells.