Cytofect™ Transfection Reagents: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the Cytofect™ Transfection Reagents?
- What are the Cytofect™ Transfection Kits?
- What transfection efficiency can I achieve with the Cytofect™ Kits?
- How long should I wait after thawing my cells before transfecting them?
- How soon after transfection can I assay for gene expression?
- In what buffer and at what concentration should my DNA be suspended prior to diluting it into the Transfection Medium?
- How cytotoxic are the Cytofect™ Transfection Kits?
- How stable are the Cytofect™ Transfection Kits?
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1. What are the Cytofect™ Transfection Reagents?
The Cytofect™ Transfection Reagents are a set of unique reagents that complex with plasmid DNA and escort genes to the nucleus. The result is higher delivery efficiency and lower cytotoxicity compared to leading competitors' reagents, especially in primary endothelial, epithelial, and fibroblast cells.
2. What are the ™ Transfection Kits?
The Cytofect™ Trasfection Kits contains all necessary Cytofect™ reagents for optimal gene transfer, as well as media for the transfection procedure.
3. What transfection efficiency can I achieve with the Cytofect™ Kits?
Please see the table below for transfection efficiencies in a variety of primary cells tested by Cell Applications:
|
Cytofect™ Kit
|
Efficiency
|
Viability
|
Cell Type
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Endothelial Cell | 40% - 85% | 80% - 95% | HUVEC HAOEC HCAEC HPAEC HLMVEC BAOEC BCAEC BPAEC RAOEC |
| HUVEC | 40% - 85% | 80% - 95% | HUVEC |
| Epithelial Cell | 40% - 70% | 70% - 95% | HBEpC HTEpC HMEpC HEK |
| Fibroblast | 30% - 70% | 90% - 95% | HDF HCF HLF |
| Smooth Muscle | 35%-65% | 80% - 95% | HAOSMC HBcASMC HCtASMC HCASMC HITASMC HPASMC HScASMC HUVSMC |
| Hepatocyte | 60% - 70% | 90% - 95% | RH |
| Cell Line | 40% - 90% | 80% - 95% | HEK 293 CHO HeLa MCF-7 |
4. How long should I wait after thawing my cells before transfecting them?
We strongly recommend transfecting cells after at least one passage but no longer than three passages. Ideally, your cells should be transfected when they are at the peak of health, which is typically 70-80% confluency.
5. How soon after transfection can I assay for gene expression?
We assay for gene expression 24 hours post-transfection for primary cells and 48 hour post-transfection for cell lines. Be sure to change the media after 24 hours.
6. In what buffer and at what concentration should my DNA be suspended prior to diluting it into the Transfection Medium?
Typically, our DNA is diluted in sterile water at a concentration of 0.2 µg/µl
7. How cytotoxic are the Cytofect™ Transfection Kits?
The Cytofect™ Transfection Kits have very low cytotoxicity compared to leading competitor's transfection reagents and compared to electroporation. Please see the post-transfection viabilities shown on the chart from Question # 3 above.
8. How stable are the Cytofect™ Transfection Kits?
The Cytofect™ Transfection Kits are stable for 1 year when stored properly.