Transfection, the delivery of DNA into a eukaryotic cell, is now the standard methodology for studying gene expression and function. Scientists can transfect both primary cells--those derived directly from the body--and cultured cells, but primary cells are more accurate models of a given cell type than their cultured counterparts are. Researchers traditionally transfect primary cells using viral technologies, which can be expensive and complicated to use, but amaxa of Cologne, Germany, has developed a system that avoids these problems. amaxa's Nucleofector™ technology enables transfer of DNA directly into the cell's nucleus and is the first efficient nonviral technology that scientists can use for primary cell transfection.
According to CEO and co-founder Rainer Christine, nucleofection is based on electroporation; a proprietary combination of electronic parameters and buffer solutions delivers DNA directly into the cell's nucleus. In contrast, traditional electroporation or lipofection techniques first deliver DNA into the cytoplasm, and nuclear...
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