Nanoparticles as a Tool for Transfection and Transgenesis – a Review

Nanoparticles can be an alternative for currently used viral and non-viral systems of transporting exogenous DNA into cells, and furthermore, can be an effective way to produce transgenic animals. The possibility of linking them with proteins, lipids and of adding ligands enables improved transfection by making the crossing of membranes and the breaking of the endosomal barrier more efficient. Additionally, by the addition of magnetic particles it is possible to amend the intracellular kinetics of nanoparticle-DNA complexes. This review considers the use of nanoparticles to transfect cells and embryos and their possible application as a non-viral vector in animal transgenesis.