Deae Dextran

Deae Dextran

The polycationic stabilizing molecule deae dextran is a white hygroscopic powder readily soluble in most common aqueous salt solutions.deae dextran It is bacteriostatic and sterilizable by autoclaving or sterile filtration. The reagent can be stored in the presence of up to 20% ethanol and is stable for more than 3 years when kept in sealed tubes at room temperature.

Transfection of cultured mammalian cells using diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran/DNA is an attractive alternative to other transfection methods in many circumstances. Its advantages include its relative simplicity and speed, limited expense, and remarkably reproducible interexperimental and intraexperimental transfection efficiency. Disadvantages include low transfection efficiencies in some cell types, inhibition of cell growth, and the requirement that the concentration of serum media in the cell culture be temporarily reduced during the transfection procedure.

The method works by complexing the plasmid DNA with DEAE-dextran, which binds to negatively charged surface structures of the cell membrane and allows uptake of the DNA through endocytosis. This unit presents a general description of the technique, as well as two more specific protocols for typical experimental applications.

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