Glycofect is a new DNA carrier that elicits low cytotoxic response coupled with high delivery efficiency and transgene expression. Glycofect is a superior reagent for primary cell transfection as compared to leading lipid and poly-cationic based products.  A protocol for use can be found here.

Features:

• Effective delivery with low cytotoxicity
• Effective cellular uptake through nanoparticle delivery
• Protects DNA from nuclease degradation
• Biodegrades after endocytosis
• Simple & robust transfection procedure
• Exceptional results in primary cells

 

Glycofect is a cationic carbohydrate-containing synthetic polymer based on the poly-glycoamidoamine (PGAA) polymer library developed in the group of world-renowned biomaterials professor Theresa M. Reineke. When formulated with a nucleic acid, the polymer compacts the genetic material into a positively charged nanoparticle (dh = ~100 nm) suitable for cellular uptake. The distinguishing trait of Glycofect which gives it low cytotoxicity and high delivery efficiency is that it biodegrades in cytoplasm-like conditions thereby promoting gene release after the DNA-Glycofect particle has been endocytosed. This timed release process allows the genetic material being carried by the particle to be fully protected and shielded from degradation and/or immune response until it is released in the proximity of the cell nucleus where it may be expressed. Indeed, Glycofect promotes low toxicity transfections in immortalized cells, constantly outperforming lipid-based competitors. However the arena where Glycofect truly outperforms is in transfecting primary cells, where low cytotoxic response is especially important due to the expense and labor required to obtain these fragile cell types.  Because Glycofect is biodegradable in nature, it is packaged in separate single-use aliquots, each suitable for transfection of one 24-well plate (easily adapted to other plating formats).  See the protocol for storage and plating recommendations.
 

The following micrographs compare Glycofect to leading lipid-based reagents when used to transfect primary dermal fibroblasts and primary aortic smooth muscle cells. In each series, the DIC images (top row) show the density of the individual cells while the fluorescence images (bottom row) show those cells that have been transfected with a plasmid expressing green fluorescent protein. All samples were prepared per distributors' instructions.

                                      Primary Dermal Fibroblasts

Control                            Glycofect                      Lipid Competitor A      Lipid Competitor B

                                Primary Human Aortic Smooth Muscle
Control                           Glycofect                       Lipid Competitor A      Lipid Competitor B

                                                  Primary Rat Cortical Neuron