Q.32 Transfer of plasmids into animal cells can be achieved by
(A) Electroporation
(B) Liposome–mediated process
(C) Calcium chloride treatment
(D) Sucrose treatment

Correct Answer: (A) Electroporation and (B) Liposome-mediated process

Both electroporation and liposome-mediated processes effectively transfer plasmids into animal cells, making these the primary methods among the options.​

Option Analysis

Electroporation (A)
Electroporation uses high-voltage electric pulses to create temporary pores in animal cell membranes, allowing plasmid DNA entry. This physical method works across cell types like bovine and swine fibroblasts with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity.​

Liposome-mediated process (B)
Liposomes form lipid vesicles that encapsulate plasmids and fuse with animal cell membranes for DNA delivery. Cationic liposomes like Lipofectamine achieve high transfection rates in livestock fibroblasts and other mammalian cells.​

Calcium chloride treatment (C)
Calcium chloride transformation prepares bacterial cells by binding DNA to lipopolysaccharides, followed by heat shock. It fails in animal cells lacking cell walls and LPS.​

Sucrose treatment (D)
Sucrose enhances electrotransfer or lysosomal escape in some protocols but does not directly transfer plasmids into animal cells. It acts as an adjuvant, not a primary method.​

Transfer of plasmids into animal cells enables gene expression studies and biotechnology applications. Common techniques include physical and chemical methods tailored for eukaryotic membranes.​

Key Methods

• Electroporation: Delivers plasmids via electric pulses, ideal for hard-to-transfect cells like fibroblasts.​

• Liposome-mediated: Lipid carriers fuse with membranes for efficient, reproducible transfection.​

• Avoid bacterial-specific approaches like calcium chloride for animal systems.​

This aligns with CSIR NET Life Sciences focus on gene transfer techniques.