subject: What Is Cells Transfection And What Are The Different Transfection Methods? [print this page] Cell Transfection Cell Transfection
The process of deliberately introducing nucleic acids such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) into eukaryotic cells is known as Transfection when it is performed in mammalian cell. The same procedure is referred to as Transformation, when they are carried out on bacteria, plants, fungi and algae. Transfection is very useful process used in the study of genes and devising strategies related to genes therapy.
The process of transfection typically involves opening transient holes in the recipient cell membrane in order to enable the acceptance of material. Proteins or extrinsic genetic materials are fed in through these openings and the transfected cells are drawn in to fuse the foreign material with their own matter. Thus, Transfection through electroporation of calcium phosphate or through integration of cationic lipid with the material in order to produce liposomes, which mixes with the cell membrane and deposit their cargo inside.
Cell transfection thus refers to the gene delivery method which introduces foreign DNA into the cell. Diseases such as cardiac diseases, AIDS, Obesity and Cancer require genetic treatments which can be developed with the help of transfection methods. This technique is used by the scientists in order to create transgenic animals and also to raise better varieties of pet animals, plants, flowers and fruits.
The nature of the Cell transfection can either be transient or stable. When the cell eliminates the introduced foreign DNA, prior to mitosis or at the time of mitosis, it is referred to as transient cell transfection. While the stable cell transfection refers to the process when the introduced DNA adds or replaces a portion of the native DNA of the cell, on entering the cell nucleus. This type of cell transfection leads to the transformation of the cell as a result of which, there is a duplication of the DNA change during mitosis.
Different Transfection Methods
Researchers can easily induce plenty of stable cell transfection by utilizing chemical reagents and carefully structured methodologies. They are thus capable of growing a cell culture with a desired genetic change. There are several other methods through which the cell transfections are carried out. These basically consist of the Biochemical cell transfection methods such as DEAE-dextran, calcium phosphate and liposome mediated transfection methods and Physical cell transfection methods such as direct micro injection of materials, electroporation and biolistic particle delivery. Here we have described briefly three transfection methods.
DEAE-Dextran method
This cell transfection method enables the binding of DNA to the cell membrane and entry through endocytosis. DNA in association with DEAE-Dextran provides complex binding to the cell surface. This is the only method which cannot be used for stable transfection.
Electroporation
In this cell transfection method, high voltage electric shocks are utilized in order to introduce DNA into the Cells. This process thus leads to an increase in the permeability and the electrical conductivity of the plasma membrane of the cell due to an externally applied electric shock. This cell transfection method can be used for stable transfection as well.
Liposome -mediated method
This cell transfection method makes use of cationic lipids, which are physically and chemically similar to the biological lipids. Liposome mediated cell transfection methods can carry DNA larger than viruses and are therefore considered safer than viruses.
