DEAE-Dextran Transfection

Introducing Genes into Cultured Mammalian Cells

Strategies for the delivery of genes into eukaryotic cells fall into three categories: transfection by biochemical methods, transfection by physical methods, and virus-mediated transduction. This introduction deals with the first two categories.

Transfection Mediated by DEAE-Dextran

Here, we describe two variations on the classical DEAE-dextran transfection procedure. The first involves a brief exposure of cells to a high concentration of DEAE-dextran and yields higher transfection frequencies but elevated cellular toxicity. The second involves a longer exposure of cells to a lower concentration of DEAE-dextran, which produces lower transfection frequencies but increased cell survival.