Stable Transfection for Cell Line Development
Transfection is the process of delivering cargo, such as a plasmid or other expression vectors, via a non-viral mechanism across the cell membrane to induce gene expression. Transfection is not to be confused with transformation, which is the uptake of environmental plasmid DNA by bacteria, or transduction, which leverages viral vectors.
There are two classifications of transfection: stable and transient. Transient transfection is short-term, while stable transfection ensures that gene expression is preserved in daughter cells after cell division.
During the cell line development process, stable transfection is leveraged to integrate the gene of interest via plasmids or other expression vectors into the host cell genome for monoclonal antibody expression. The Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Biomek i-Series Automated Liquid Handler can automate transfection workflows, including transfection reagent pipetting and handling and cell growth. It can also prepare assay samples to quantify transfection efficiency and post-transfection cell death. To obtain cell count and viability data, integrate a Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Vi-CELL BLU Cell Viability Analyzer during cell recovery. Stable cell lines can be selected using a Molecular Devices ClonePix 2 Mammalian Colony Picker.
Digital workflows for structured data capture can increase efficiency and save significant time. The IDBS E-WorkBook and Polar BioPharma Lifecycle Management platform can support data capture and integration for streamlined reporting and data sharing with internal or external teams.