Transfection entails the viral and non-viral introduction of nucleic acid into eukaryotic cells. The transfection method can overcome the difficulty of transferring the negatively charged membrane. Chemicals such as calcium phosphate and diethyl aminoethyl (DEAE) dextran or cationic lipid-based Reagent react with the outer DNA coat. It neutralizes the overall negative charge, imparts a positive charge to the molecule, and enables DNA delivery.
For instance, DEAE-dextran is utilized for transient transfection, whereas lipofection can achieve sustained transfection and is suitable for long-term protein expression. Transfection mediated by calcium phosphate can also be used for stable transfection. The viral transfection method obtains high efficiency and is utilized in multiple phases of developing pharmaceutical products.
Ongoing R&D in Cancer Management Drives the Global Market
Transfection techniques are utilized in cancer research for the development of stem cell therapy and gene-based therapy. For instance, Lonza's Nucleofector technology and Promega Corporation's FuGENE HD Transfection enable highly effective transfection of cancer cell lines. Similarly, the introduction in October 2019 of a novel technique known as nano-electro-injection developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore aids in efficiently delivering DNA relative to other techniques.
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy, particularly in immunotherapy. A few patients have been treated with this technology since its introduction into clinical application. This technique effectively applies to cell lines and laboratory animals with key genetic characteristics that help scientists understand cancer cases better. Other transfection uses in cancer research include genetic manipulation for cancer research, human cancer invasion, migration, metastasis, tumor progression, and oncogenic regulation.
Development of Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems Creates Tremendous Opportunities
Numerous studies have been conducted in tissue engineering to create, restore, and replace tissues and cells using biomaterials and bioactive molecules. Tissue engineering permits combining cells and engineered biomolecules to create materials resembling the body's native tissue. Tissue Nanotransfection Technology (TNT) is one of the more recent technologies used in regenerative medicine research to facilitate the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues or organs. This technology is less time-consuming and more efficient than 98 percent. TNT has several advantages over conventional in vivo transfection technologies.
In addition, scientists in biotechnology and biomedical engineering have developed a novel method of drug delivery employing nanosecond lasers and carbon nanotubes, which can also serve as a cheaper alternative to conventional lasers. Drug delivery utilizing nanoparticles comprised of iron, silicon, and silver is also anticipated to contribute to the expansion of the transfection market. Applying transfection technique utilizing nano-fountain probe electroporation for drug delivery, allowing precise and punctual drug dosing to the targeted site, is also in the pipeline and is anticipated to boost market growth for transfection.
North America is the most significant global transfection reagents and equipment market shareholder and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.31% over the forecast period. The rapid development of compatible and efficient transfection technologies by manufacturers in North America has significantly contributed to regional revenue in the global market. North America is the world's largest geographical market for transfection reagents and equipment, encompassing U.S. and Canada. These market participants continue to focus on innovating transfection applications, instrumentation, diversity of different cell lines, and their cellular interactions to develop different reagents and accessories for professionals in the drug development industry. This also aims to produce specific and potent drugs and advance bioscience research.
Additionally, as per industry analysis performed by Pharmaceutical Outsourcing, speedy progress of gene and cell therapies via clinical development is expected to supplement the growth of late-stage clinical and commercial manufacturing in this region. Moreover, transient transfection adopted for the production of vectors provides significant flexibility for gene and cell therapy development. This has caught the attention of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) in the region, further contributing to its expected dominance throughout the forecast period.
Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period. Factors supplementing its revenue generation include associations such as the European Medicines Agency, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, and the European Commission. Lucrative growth opportunities in emerging economies of Eastern Europe, such as Poland and Russia, are expected to serve this market with potential growth opportunities. An increasing number of projects about cell biology research across European countries has also encouraged regional players to invest in developing innovative technologies and advancements in cell culture applications. In addition, researchers operating in the molecular biology industry are working toward developing cost-effective transfection solutions that can be employed across diverse cell lines. Increasing preference for automated equipment and multiplexing for consistent output is a key trend observed among players operating in the European market.