Magnetofection

Magnetofection is a transfection method that uses magnetic fields to concentrate particles containing vectors to target cells in the body.

[1] Magnetofection has been adapted to a variety of vectors, including nucleic acids, non-viral transfection systems, and viruses.

The magnetic nanoparticles are typically made from iron oxide, which is fully biodegradable, using methods such as coprecipitation or microemulsion.

[6] Another synthesis method involves coating magnetic nanoparticles with cationic lipids or polymers via salt-induced aggregation.

For example, nanoparticles may be conjugated with the polyethylenimine (PEI), a positively charged polymer used commonly as a transfection agent.

This technique has primarily been tested in vivo using plasmid DNA in mouse, rat, and rabbit models for applications in the hippocampus, subcutaneous tumors, lungs, spinal cord, and muscle.

[14] Some applications include: Magnetofection attempts to unite the advantages of biochemical (cationic lipids or polymers) and physical (electroporation, gene gun) transfection methods.

Magnetofection does not work well for organs or blood vessels far from the surface of the body, since the magnetic field weakens as distance increases.