TransMessenger transfection reagent from Qiagen is specifically developed for transfection of cells with RNA, useful for studying cells that are not efficiently transfected with plasmid DNA
TransMessenger reagent is a lipid-based formulation that provides a fast and easy procedure and high transfection efficiencies.
The reagent is used in conjunction with a specific RNA-condensing enhancer and an optimised buffer - RNA molecules are condensed by the enhancer and then coated by TransMessenger reagent for efficient transfer into eukaryotic cells.
Transfection of cells with RNA rather than DNA provides an alternative approach that offers new possibilities for transfection experiments.
For example, RNA transfection could be useful for studying cells that are not efficiently transfected with plasmid DNA, and could allow direct studies of RNA function.
Transfected RNA sequences are expressed in the absence of transcription and in a promoter-independent manner.
In addition, protein expression usually occurs sooner following transfection of RNA than following transfection of DNA.
All TransMessenger reagent components are provided as ready-to-use solutions.
The procedure is simple - RNA is mixed with Enhancer R and Buffer EC-R and incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature.
TransMessenger reagent is added and the mixture is incubated for a further 5-10 minutes.
The transfection complexes are then mixed with medium and added directly to the cells.
Following a three hour incubation, the medium is changed and the cells are incubated until they are ready for analysis.
Qiagen's rigorous standards eliminate reagent variables that can adversely affect the efficiency of RNA transfection.
Strict quality control ensures absence of RNase activity, lot-to-lot consistency, and low endotoxin levels (*10 EU/ml).
TransMessenger transfection reagent is provided with a comprehensive handbook that contains a detailed protocol as well as information on transfection and RNA handling.
