Evaluation of the magnetic field requirements for nanomagnetic gene transfection

Abstract

The objective of this work was to examine the effects of magnet distance (and by proxy, field strength) on nanomagnetic transfection efficiency. Methods: Non-viral magnetic nanoparticle-based transfection was evaluated using both static and oscillating magnet arrays. Results: Fluorescence intensity (firefly luciferase) of transfected H292 cells showed no increase using a 96-well NdFeB magnet array when the magnets were 5 mm from the cell culture plate or nearer. At 6 mm and higher, fluorescence intensity decreased systematically. Conclusion: In all cases, fluorescence intensity was higher when using an oscillating array compared to a static array. For distances closer than 5 mm, the oscillating system also outperformed Lipofectamine 2000^TM.

Keywords: non-viral gene delivery; magnetic nanoparticle-based gene transfection; magnetic nanoparticles; magnetic field

(Published: 9 July 2010)

Citation: Nano Reviews 2010, 1: 5167 - DOI: 10.3402/nano.v1i0.5167