What factors should I consider when I choose transfection reagents?

Every cell line is unique and requires specific transfection conditions. Choosing the right transfection reagent is key to achieving optimum transfection efficiency. 

When choosing transfection reagents, you must first identify the cell type and culture conditions for your experiment. Consider whether the cell type is easily transfectable. If you’re working with a rare cell culture such as primary cells or neurons, which are hard to transfect, you will need to choose a transfection reagent that facilitates nucleic acid delivery even with difficult cells. 

It’s equally important to consider the cytotoxicity parameters and reagent levels when choosing an appropriate transfection agent. An ideal reagent is one that has multiple applications, high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity for the required cell types.