Zeitschrift für genetische Syndrome und Gentherapie
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Genetic Transformation of Cells using Physical Methods

Rivera AL, Gómez-Lim M, Fernández F and Loske AM

The production of transgenic cells is a routinely process that allows to insert genes from plants, fungi, viruses, bacteria and even animals into cells. Genetic transformation requires penetration of the transgene through the cell wall. This process is facilitated by biological, chemical or physical methods. We present a short review of the state of the art of physical methods used for genetic transformation. A general panorama of the traditional physical genetic transformation methods like electroporation, biolistic, and agitation with glass beads, vacuum infiltration, silicon carbide whisker, laser microbeams, ultrasound, and the newly promising technique of shock wave-mediated genetic transformation of cells are described. These techniques have been applied to transform cells of bacteria, algae, plants, fungi, and animals. In human cells, genetic transformation is currently used for DNA vaccines, tissue engineering, and cancer therapy.