Magnetofection is a technique that combines magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with nucleic acids (such as plasmid DNA, siRNA, or other genetic material) to facilitate their delivery into target cells using an external magnetic field. While magnetofection is primarily used for gene delivery, it can also offer several benefits for genome editing applications:
- Enhanced transfection efficiency: Magnetofection can significantly improve the efficiency of delivering genome editing tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 components or other nucleases, into target cells. This increased efficiency can lead to higher rates of gene editing and improved outcomes.
- Targeted delivery: The use of magnetic fields allows for precise targeting of the genetic material to specific cell types or regions within tissues. This targeting can reduce off-target effects and enhance the specificity of genome editing, improving the accuracy of the desired genetic modifications.
- Reduced cytotoxicity: Compared to other transfection methods, magnetofection can reduce cytotoxicity because it typically requires lower concentrations of nucleic acids and transfection reagents. This is particularly beneficial for sensitive cell types or for in vivo applications where cell viability is crucial.
- Non-viral delivery: Magnetofection is a non-viral method of gene delivery, which can avoid some of the drawbacks associated with viral vectors, such as immunogenicity, limited cargo capacity, and the potential for insertional mutagenesis. This makes magnetofection a safer option for genome editing in many contexts.
- Scalability and reproducibility: Magnetofection is relatively easy to scale up for large-scale transfections, making it suitable for high-throughput applications and preclinical studies. Additionally, the technique is highly reproducible, allowing for consistent results across experiments and reducing variability.
- Compatibility with various nucleic acids: Magnetofection can be used to deliver a wide range of nucleic acids, including plasmid DNA, RNA, and oligonucleotides. This versatility makes it adaptable to different genome editing strategies and experimental designs.
Overall, magnetofection offers several advantages for genome editing applications, including improved transfection efficiency, targeted delivery, reduced cytotoxicity, non-viral delivery, scalability, reproducibility, and compatibility with various nucleic acids. These benefits make it a valuable tool for researchers seeking to perform precise genetic modifications in vitro and in vivo.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2772950823003801
