Transfection efficiency is affected by many different things, including plasmid size and purity, media components present, transfection reagent selected, amount of DNA and transfection reagent used, cell density, etc. Optimizing the protocol with respect to these concerns will allow you to achieve a higher transfection efficiency. For many cell lines and transfection reagents, optimized protocols are already available.
CAPHOS
Calcium Phosphate Transfection Kit
Most cost effective transfection reagent kit for transient and stable transfection of DNA into mammalian cells
Synonym(s):
Gene delivery
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1 KIT
$594.00
$594.00
Estimated to ship onMarch 28, 2025
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1 KIT
$594.00
About This Item
$594.00
Estimated to ship onMarch 28, 2025
Recommended Products
grade
for molecular biology
Quality Level
form
solution
usage
kit sufficient for 160 transfections (6 cm dishes)
kit sufficient for 400 transfections (3.5 cm dishes)
kit sufficient for 80 transfections (10 cm dishes)
technique(s)
transfection: suitable
shipped in
dry ice
storage temp.
−20°C
General description
Calcium phosphate transfection is a commonly used method for the introduction of DNA into eukaryotic cells. This technique has been used to obtain both transient and stable transfections in a wide variety of cell types.
Application
Calcium Phosphate Transfection Kit has been used:
Suitable for transient and stable transfection of DNA into cultured mammalian cells. The following cells have successfully been transfected using the calcium phosphate method:
BAEC
Bowels melanoma cells
CHO K1
COS-7
Fibroblasts (human embryonic, neo derm)
HEK293
Huh 7
IMR-90
LLC (Lewis Lung Carcinoma)
NIH3T3
PC-12
PCI-13
SH-Sy5Y
SK-Hep-1
T47D
BAEC
Bowels melanoma cells
CHO K1
COS-7
Fibroblasts (human embryonic, neo derm)
HEK293
Huh 7
IMR-90
LLC (Lewis Lung Carcinoma)
NIH3T3
PC-12
PCI-13
SH-Sy5Y
SK-Hep-1
T47D
Features and Benefits
- Suitable for transient and stable transfection
- Reproducible for a wide range of cell types
- Widely referenced
- Inexpensive
Components
The Calcium Phosphate Transfection Kit contains:
5 ml 2.5M CaCl2 (C2052)
25 ml 2x HEPES Buffered Saline (H1012)
25 ml molecular biology grade water (W4502)
5 ml 2.5M CaCl2 (C2052)
25 ml 2x HEPES Buffered Saline (H1012)
25 ml molecular biology grade water (W4502)
Principle
The procedure is based on slow mixing of HEPES-buffered saline containing sodium phosphate with a CaCl2 solution containing the DNA. A DNA-calcium phosphate co-precipitate forms, which adheres to the cell surface and is taken up by the cell, presumably by endocytosis.
Other Notes
The protocol was developed for transient transfection of CHO cells using pSV40-CAT plasmid as a reporter gene.
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Description
Pricing
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Warning
hcodes
Hazard Classifications
Eye Irrit. 2
Storage Class
12 - Non Combustible Liquids
flash_point_f
Not applicable
flash_point_c
Not applicable
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The calcium phosphate transfection is a widely used method for introducing foreign DNA plasmids into cells. Mechanisms underlying this transfection method are not yet defined; however, DNA-calcium phosphate precipitates are internalized by the cells and DNA is efficiently expressed in
Articles
Transfection introduces genetic material into cells, aiding research in gene expression and cell biology.
This brief webinar provides an overview of what transfection is and the methods that are used to introduce DNA or RNA into eukaryotic cells.
Protocols
Calcium phosphate transfection is a common method for the introduction of DNA into eukaryotic cells. This protocol can be optimized for use with a wide variety of cell types.
Related Content
Browse our convenient transfection reagent selection guide to match the best reagent for your specific cell line and application needs.
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How can I increase the efficiency of my transfection?
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Can I transfect cells plated at low density?
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For most transfections, cells should be >70% confluency the day of transfection, and growing in mid-log phase. Some transfection reagents are now designed to work with cells at low density, when required.
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Is the size of the plasmid an important consideration for transfection?
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The size of the plasmid should be considered when selecting a transfection reagent with the best efficiency. In general, larger sized plasmids should easily transfect with readily available transfection reagents, as along as the plasmid DNA is of high purity.
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What is transfection efficiency?
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Transfection efficiency is a measure of how many cells take up the DNA during the transfection process. Many transfection reagents can achieve a transfection efficiency of >90% in common cell lines. Other cell lines are hard to transfect, and require special reagents and/or techniques to achieve even a small population of transfected cells.
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What is the difference between stable and transient transfection?
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When the DNA enters the nucleus of the cell, the plasmid is replicated by the cell machinery (transient transfection). During this time, RNA is transcribed and protein translated until the plasmid DNA is lost after a few cell divisions. This expression of the plasmid DNA, mRNA, and protein is transient (temporary).In some cases, the plasmid DNA is integrated into the host cell genome. This is usually accompanied by forced expression using a selection antibiotic and sometimes a cloning step (to be sure all cells have the same integration site). Once the DNA is stable, the cell line can be frozen and used to express protein for many years. Clones may even be screened for those expressing the highest amount of protein.
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What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?
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Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product.
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What quality does the DNA need to be in order to use it for transfection?
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The DNA needs to be good quality or it may cause the cells to lyse and/or they won't transfect efficiently. Plasmid DNA prepared with a column-based DNA purification kit is suitable for transfections. Sigma's GenElute™ Minprep, Midiprep and Maxiprep kits work well for DNA plasmid purification. After preparing the DNA, confirm the OD A260:A280 ratio is greater than 1.6 for use in plasmid transfections.
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Can antibiotics be present in the medium during transfection?
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We recommend that no antibiotics are present during transfection. The process of transfection can make the cells somewhat more porous to allow for efficient DNA entry. During this time, antibiotics will also enter the cells more easily and the cells may show increased cell death. Wait until about 24 hours after transfection to resume the use of preventative antibiotics and/or start the use of selective antibiotics.
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How can I determine the efficiency of my transfection?
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Calculating transfection efficiency is very useful when optimizing transfection protocols. Transfection efficiency can be performed using a GFP-expressing plasmid. After transfection, cells are stained with propidium iodide and counted. The propidium iodide provides a count of the total cells in the population, and the GFP-expressing cells provide a count of the number of cells transfected. The transfection efficiency (%) can then be calculated by:(# GFP-expressing cells / total cell #) * 100
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How can I increase the efficiency of the calcium phosphate transfection method?
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The calcium phosphate transfection method is performed differently than other methods, and so it can be optimized beyond the general recommendations. An important part of the protocol is generation of a fine precipitate. Be sure that the bubbling in tube B is consistant and with good force, while the solution from tube A is added very slowly, dropwise. Once the precipitates are added to the cell culture, be sure they are evenly distributed on the plate so all cells may be transfected.The pH of the HeBS is critical to precipitate formation. Prolonged storage of the solution may cause the pH to shift away from the optimal 7.05 - 7.12.
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