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Plasmid DNA Transfection: Stable vs Transient |
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Transfected genetic material can be expressed in the target cells either transiently or permanently depending on the methods utilized and the experimental questions being investigated. Transient transfections are used most commonly to analyze the short term impact of altered gene or protein expression. Plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), and microRNA (miRNA), are introduced and gene products are expressed in the target cells however the nucleic acids do not integrate into the host cell genome. Therefore, gene product expression is transient and typically results in high expression levels that persist for 24-72 hours when RNA is transfected, or 48-96 hours following DNA transfection. Conversely, in order to analyze the long term impact of altered gene or protein expression investigators typically utilize stable transfection protocols to develop stable cell lines. In a subpopulation of transfected cells, whether the desired effect is a stable or transient transfection, the transfected genetic material will integrate into the genome. In order to create stable cell lines, investigators will take advantage of this natural occurrence, and introduce the gene of interest along with a selectable marker. Therefore growth of transfected cells, in the presence of a selecting agent, will enable the subpopulation of cell where the exogenous genetic material has been incorporated into the genome to persist while the remaining cells undergo selection. Utilizing this method, investigators are able to develop cells that permanently express specific genes through their incorporation in the cellular genome. Altogen Custom Services offer generation of stable cell lines by transforming your cell line to stably express vector or gene of interest.
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