Frequently Asked Questions

ViaFect™ Transfection Reagent

The complete protocol for this product is available in Technical Manual #TM409.

What are the best transfection conditions to use for this reagent?

Successful reagent-based transfection involves optimizing the reagent:DNA ratio, amount of DNA used, complexing time, cell number and medium used. This Application Note lists some optimal transfection conditions that we have used with a few common cell types.

The ViaFect™ Transfection Reagent product page has a searchable list of citations demonstrating use of ViaFect™ reagent with many different cell types. Click Expand to View and search the citations. If you don’t see your cell type in the list, you can search the literature to see what other researchers have used with success.

How do I get my cells ready for transfection?

It is important to use a low passage number and ensure healthy cells are ~40-80% confluent on the day of transfection.

How do I prepare my vector?

Promega vectors are provided at transfection-ready quality, so you can start right away. However, if you propagate the vector by transforming bacteria, the plasmid should be purified so that it is intact and free of protein, RNA and endotoxin.

How do I use Promega Flexi® Vectors?

Any of the Promega Flexi® Vectors that contain a lethal barnase gene cannot be propagated until after cloning, when this lethal portion has been replaced.

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