Genetic Transformation of Cells using Physical Methods

Abstract

The production of transgenic cells is a routinely process that allows to insert genes from plants, fungi, viruses, bacteria and even animals into cells. Genetic transformation requires penetration of the transgene through the cell wall. This process is facilitated by biological, chemical or physical methods. We present a short review of the state of the art of physical methods used for genetic transformation. A general panorama of the traditional physical genetic transformation methods like electroporation, biolistic, and agitation with glass beads, vacuum infiltration, silicon carbide whisker, laser microbeams, ultrasound, and the newly promising technique of shock wave-mediated genetic transformation of cells are described. These techniques have been applied to transform cells of bacteria, algae, plants, fungi, and animals. In human cells, genetic transformation is currently used for DNA vaccines, tissue engineering, and cancer therapy.

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“…The genetic transformation employs the use of the physical method, biological method, or a combination of both. The physical techniques, including particle bombardment and electroporation and biological methods such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation, have been extensively used for genetic modification of crops [34][35][36]. Among these methods, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most preferred method for genetically modifying most of the crops.…”

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