Current Modes of Transfection – Emphasizing on nucleofection

Abstract

The process of introducing nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells by various methods is defined as Transfection. Using various chemical, lipid or physical methods, this gene transfer technology is a powerful tool for studying gene function in the context of a cell. Transfection is an essential tool for numerous in vitro applications including studies of gene expression, promoter analysis, and intracellular signalling pathways and also for therapeutic strategies such as tissue engineering and gene therapy.
Here we emphasize the use of nucleofection, a new, electroporation-based transfection method that enables the DNA to enter directly the nucleus, for the transfection of different cell types. The development of reporter gene systems and selection methods for stable maintenance and expression of transferred DNA have greatly expanded the applications for transfection.