| Date: September 29, 1997 | Table Comparing Products  |
Perhaps the most fundamental question when one has a nucleic acid or gene sequence in hand is "So, what does it do?" Whether these sequences encode a protein, or are promoter/enhancer regulatory elements, the general goal is to determine function and to understand the regulation and interaction of these genes and gene products with other cellular components. These questions are, of course, best addressed within a cellular context. The ability to introduce DNA into cultured cells is therefore both powerful and necessary for studying the function and control of mammalian genes.
A wide variety of techniques is available that permit the delivery of molecules into eukaryotic cells. Unfortunately, no single method can be identified as ideal for all cell types or systems. Each system and, indeed, the specific experimental goals or requirements may require different gene delivery methods.
There are two general approaches ...
