Transfection Reagents
When selecting a transfection method, consider the payload you wish to deliver (DNA, RNA, or protein) and the type of cells you want to transfect. Use the tables below to choose between our various cationic-lipid transfection reagents and the Invitrogen Neon Transfection System.
We offer options for DNA, siRNA, oligonucleotide, and RNA delivery, giving you more confidence in your results.
- Superior delivery—transfect a broad range of cell types, including those notoriously difficult to transfect, with high efficiency
- Nontoxic performance—you see results due to the presence of your nucleic acid, not the reagent
- Less optimization—rapid, simple protocols provided for most cell lines
Invitrogen transfection reagent selection guide
Continuous cell lines are capable of unlimited proliferative potential, and are generally easier to work with than primary or finite cell cultures. However, because these cells have undergone genetic transformation to become immortalized, their behavior in culture may not necessarily reflect the in vivo situation.
Reagent | DNA | mRNA | RNAi | Co- delivery |
Easy-to-transfect adherent cells | Hard-to-transfect adherent cells | Suspension cells |
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Lipofectamine 3000 | ![]() |
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Lipofectamine RNAiMAX | ![]() |
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NEW Lipofectamine MessengerMAX | ![]() |
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Lipofectamine 2000 | ![]() |
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Neon Electroporation | ![]() |
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Invivofectamine 3.0 | ![]() |
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In vivo delivery to liver following tail vein injection |
Primary cells are isolated directly from the tissue and proliferated under appropriate conditions. As such, they are morphologically and physiologically more similar to an in vivo state. However, they are usually more difficult to culture and transfect than continuous cell lines.
After the first subculture, the primary culture becomes known as a cell line. Cell lines derived from primary cultures have a limited life span (i.e., they are finite), and as they are passaged, cells with the highest growth capacity predominate, resulting in a degree of genotypic and phenotypic uniformity in the population. Therefore, their phenotype is intermediate between primary cells and continuous cultures. The use of such cells is sometimes easier than the use of primary cells, especially for the generation of stably transfected clones.
Reagent | DNA | mRNA | RNAi | Co- delivery |
Primary Cells | Stem Cells |
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Lipofectamine 3000 | ![]() |
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Lipofectamine RNAiMAX | ![]() |
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NEW Lipofectamine Stem | ![]() |
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Lipofectamine MessengerMAX | ![]() |
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Lipofectamine 2000 | ![]() |
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Neon Electroporation | ![]() |
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Invivofectamine 3.0 | ![]() |
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In vivo delivery to liver following tail vein injection |
Continuous cell lines are capable of unlimited proliferative potential, and are generally easier to work with than primary or finite cell cultures. However, because these cells have undergone genetic transformation to become immortalized, their behavior in culture may not necessarily reflect the in vivo situation.
Reagent | DNA | mRNA | RNAi | Co- delivery |
Easy-to-transfect adherent cells | Hard-to-transfect adherent cells | Suspension cells |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lipofectamine 3000 | ![]() |
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![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Lipofectamine RNAiMAX | ![]() |
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||
NEW Lipofectamine MessengerMAX | ![]() |
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![]() |
|||
Lipofectamine 2000 | ![]() |
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![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Neon Electroporation | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Invivofectamine 3.0 | ![]() |
![]() |
In vivo delivery to liver following tail vein injection |
Primary cells are isolated directly from the tissue and proliferated under appropriate conditions. As such, they are morphologically and physiologically more similar to an in vivo state. However, they are usually more difficult to culture and transfect than continuous cell lines.
After the first subculture, the primary culture becomes known as a cell line. Cell lines derived from primary cultures have a limited life span (i.e., they are finite), and as they are passaged, cells with the highest growth capacity predominate, resulting in a degree of genotypic and phenotypic uniformity in the population. Therefore, their phenotype is intermediate between primary cells and continuous cultures. The use of such cells is sometimes easier than the use of primary cells, especially for the generation of stably transfected clones.
Reagent | DNA | mRNA | RNAi | Co- delivery |
Primary Cells | Stem Cells |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lipofectamine 3000 | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Lipofectamine RNAiMAX | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
NEW Lipofectamine Stem | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
Lipofectamine 2000 | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Neon Electroporation | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Invivofectamine 3.0 | ![]() |
![]() |
In vivo delivery to liver following tail vein injection |
Symbol | Explanation | Symbol | Explanation |
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DNA for expression of protein, shRNA, and miRNA | ![]() |
mRNA for expression of protein |
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Non-coding RNA for RNAi inhibition of gene expression | ![]() |
Co-delivery for cotransfection of RNAi vectors and siRNAs |
Additional transfection reagents
Transfection reagent | Key features & applications of reagent |
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ExpiFectamine CHO Transfection Kit |
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ExpiFectamine 293 Transfection Kit |
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FreeStyle MAX Transfection Reagent |
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Lipofectamine 2000 CD Transfection Reagent |
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Oligofectamine Transfection Reagent |
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293fectin Transfection Reagent |
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Cellfectin II Transfection Reagent |
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DMRIE-C Transfection Reagent |
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Lipofectamine Transfection Reagent |
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Lipofectin Transfection Reagent |
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Optifect Transfection Reagent |
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Lipofectamine LTX & Plus Reagent |
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General information
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.