An easy protocol for on-chip transfection of COS-7 cells with a cationic lipid-based reagent

Abstract

The microchip has become a miniaturized and integrated platform for cell research and gene analysis. Traditional biological experiments are being performed on chips with greater frequency. Transfection, which is the process of introducing foreign DNA (or RNA) into cultured mammalian cells, is an important tool for basic and applied life science research. Therefore, on-chip transfection is a critical requirement for a fully comprehensive lab-on-chip system. In this study, a microchip made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and glass was fabricated for continuous cell culture and transfection. Enhanced green fluorescent protein genes (pEGFP) were introduced into COS-7 cells using a cationic lipid-based reagent, Lipofectamine™ 2000. The optimal concentration of Lipofectamine™ 2000 was also studied. This on-chip transfection protocol with cationic lipid-based reagent is expected to add to the emerging use of microchip-based life science and drug discovery research.