Abstract for Tfx™-20 and Tfx™-50 Reagents for the Transfection of Eukaryotic Cells

Part# TB216
Printed in USA. Revised 3/09.
Instructions for Use of Products E1811, E1812, E2391 & E2392.

The ability to introduce DNA into eukaryotic cells provides a powerful means by which to study the function and control of mammalian genes. Common techniques for gene (DNA) transfer into eukaryotic cells include calcium phosphate, DEAE-Dextran, electroporation and more recently, liposome-mediated transfection. The Tfx™ Reagents are a mixture of L-dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and a synthetic, cationic lipid molecule [N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-di(oleoyloxy)-1,4-butanediammonium iodide]. All Tfx™ Reagents contain the same concentration of cationic lipid component but are formulated with different molar ratios of the fusogenic lipid, DOPE. The Tfx™ Reagents are supplied as dried lipid films. Upon hydration with water, these lipids form multilamellar vesicles that associate with nucleic acids and presumably facilitate their transfer into cells by fusion of the vesicles with the cell membrane. The Tfx™ Reagents may be used to transfect cells in the presence of serum. This can be advantageous for transfecting primary cells, which tend to lose viability without serum. The optimal transfection conditions for a specific cell type must be determined experimentally.