Biontex's General Selection Aid for a Suitable Transfection Reagent

The outcome of a transfection experiment conducted with different transfection reagents or methods is hard to predict. If no user experiences concerning combinations of specific cell types, nucleic acids and specific transfection reagents or methods are available, users must empirically determine the optimal conditions by performing optimization processes.
 
If the nucleic acid (or molecule) to be transfected and the cell type is known, finding an existing reference can be worthwhile.
 
As a general rule, the transfectability of cells depends on a variety of parameters. Cell lines cover the complete spectrum from cells that are very hard to those that are very easy to transfect. As a rule, cell lines are easier to transfect than primary cells. Suspension cells are likewise harder to transfect than adherent cells. With regard to nucleic acid, it can be said that cells are easier to transfect with mRNA/miRNA/siRNA and oligonucleotides than with plasmids. The reason is that the effect already takes place in the cytosol, whereas plasmids have to enter the cell nucleus during cell division in order to take effect. Fast-proliferating cells are therefore generally easier to transfect than cells dividing only slowly.

NOTE: This guide is for Biontex products only.