What are the differences between transfection and transduction?

Basis of differentiation

Transfection 

Transduction 

Definition

Is a gene transfer method in which the genetic material is deliberately introduced into another cell using chemical or non-chemical carriers in eukaryotic cells

Is a biological gene transfer method in which bacterial DNA from one bacterium are transferred to another using a virus or viral vectors

Mechanism

Is achieved by opening the transient pores in the cell membranes, through which the genetic material is transferred

Is achieved when  the virus or viral vector infects the host cell and inserts its genetic material and recombined fragment of DNA into bacterial genome

Mediated by 

Is mediated by chemical or non-chemical methods

Is mediated by viral vectors

Nature of the method

Is a non-biological gene transfer method that may be performed using chemical and physical methods

Is a biological gene transfer method that is triggered by viruses or viral vectors

Types of vectors 

Plasmids, cosmids, HACs (human artificial chromosomes), BACs (bacterial artificial chromosome and YACs, (yeast artificial chromosomes) can be used in transfection

Viral vectors such as retroviruses and lentiviruses are used in transduction

Tools used

Uses a gene gun, electroporation and lipofection techniques

Uses viral vectors such as bacteriophages

Types of techniques

3 types: 

- Chemical mediated transfection

- Non-chemical mediated transfection

- Particle-based transfection

2 types: 

- Generalized transduction

- Specialized transduction