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Invitrogen Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent offers exceptional mRNA transfection efficiency to enable better outcomes and more biologically relevant results. This novel, lipid-based technology is optimized for efficient mRNA transfection without the nuclear entry step required with DNA. When used together with the Invitrogen mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 mRNA Kit with CleanCap Reagent AG, outstanding mRNA expression can be achieved in a wide range of cell types (Figure 1). Successfully transfect more predictive cell models with a reagent that offers:
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX mRNA Transfection Reagent delivers amazing transfection efficiency in neurons and a broad-spectrum of primary cells, enabling improved application outcomes and more biologically relevant research. This reagent’s novel lipid nanoparticle technology is optimized to deliver a high amount of mRNA possible without the nuclear entry step that is required with DNA.
While DNA transfection is the most common method used to express a gene of interest, this process involves several steps, including DNA entry into the nucleus. The entry of DNA into the nucleus is often one of the most difficult transfection steps, especially in hard-to-transfect cells.
In contrast, mRNA transfection is simpler than DNA transfection as the mRNA transcript can be delivered directly into the cells and does not require nuclear entry (step 4, Figure 2) for expression. In addition, mRNA transfection is cell cycle independent and helps eliminate the risk of genomic integration.
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent, specifically designed for mRNA transfection, results in fast protein expression with homogeneity of expression among the transfected cells.
Figure 2. DNA vs. mRNA transfection.
With Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent, you can benefit from more efficient, reliable, and reproducible mRNA transfection (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent more effectively delivers mRNA to cells. Five different cell lines were transfected with GFP mRNA (100 ng per well) using either 0.3 µL of Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent or transfection reagents from other suppliers, in 96-well format. GFP expression was analyzed 48 hours post-transfection. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX reagent outperformed both of the other transfection reagents in all five cell lines tested.
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent increases the likelihood of cleavage and recombination when used with Invitrogen GeneArt CRISPR Nuclease mRNA, maximizing the efficiency of genetic modification and simplifying downstream processes (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9–mediated cleavage in HeLa and H9 cells. CRISPR mRNA was transfected together with an in vitro transcribed guide RNA, using Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent. Editing efficiency at the EMX-1 locus was determined in a cleavage assay using the Invitrogen GeneArt Genomic Cleavage Detection Kit 72 hours post-transfection. The cells were maintained in the recommended growth media prior to transfection.
Prepare your DNA template with a T7 promoter. You may choose to clone your gene with an Invitrogen Gateway pcDNA-DEST40 Vector or amplify it with PCR and T7-containing primers.
Transcribe your template DNA with the Invitrogen mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 mRNA Kit with CleanCap Reagent AG to generate mRNA for transfection.
Transfect your mRNA with our simple Lipofectamine MessengerMAX transfection protocol.
Download the Lipofectamine MessengerMAX protocol
Prepare your DNA template with a T7 promoter. You may choose to clone your gene with an Invitrogen Gateway pcDNA-DEST40 Vector or amplify it with PCR and T7-containing primers.
Transcribe your template DNA with the Invitrogen mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 mRNA Kit with CleanCap Reagent AG to generate mRNA for transfection.
Transfect your mRNA with our simple Lipofectamine MessengerMAX transfection protocol.
Download the Lipofectamine MessengerMAX protocol
| Cell type | Lipofectamine MessengerMAX transfection efficiency (%) |
|---|---|
| MDA-MB-231 | ![]() |
| A431 | ![]() |
| A549 | ![]() |
| bEnd.3 | ![]() |
| BJ fibroblast | ![]() |
| H9 ESCs | ![]() |
| Primary hepatocytes | ![]() |
| Hep G2 | ![]() |
| HT-29 | ![]() |
| iPSCs | ![]() |
| Primary keratinocytes | ![]() |
| L929 | ![]() |
| LNCaP | ![]() |
| hNSCs | ![]() |
| MCF7 | ![]() |
| Neuro-2a | ![]() |
| Primary neurons | ![]() |
| RAW 264.7 | ![]() |
| RBL | ![]() |
| SK-N-SH | ![]() |
| SH-SY5Y | ![]() |
Transfection efficiency (%): <30%
30–50%
51–79%
>80% 
Sustainable packagingPackaging must protect the product inside—but that doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sustainability. Lipofectamine products are shipped at ambient temperature, diverting 24,000 ft3 of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) coolers from landfills annually. We reduce the carbon footprint from packaging and shipping these products by 80 tons (CO2 equivalents).
Learn more about sustainable solutions
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Vivofectamine Delivery Solutions are highly advanced lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that have been selected from a large, diverse lipid library and extensively screened for performance, safety and efficacy. Designed especially for selectively and efficiently delivering nucleic acid payloads to a variety of targets, these products and services are available in formats ranging from individual ionizable lipids to pre-mixed lipid compositions and as a formulation service.
Lipofectamine reagent-specific protocols have been optimized for efficiency, viability, and reproducibility across a broad range of cell types. Search our library to find protocols and citations curated to fit your experimental needs.
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For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.





