Superior mRNA transfection efficiency
Invitrogen's Lipofectamine MessengerMAX mRNA Transfection Reagent exhibits up to 5x the efficiency of DNA reagents in neurons and primary cell types.
- Amazing efficiency for both neuronal transfection and primary cell transfection
- Fast protein expression with no risk of genomic integration
- Up to 10x higher cleavage efficiency using mRNA CRISPRs
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Achieve high transfection efficiency in neuronal and primary cells with Lipofectamine MessengerMAX reagent
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX mRNA Transfection Reagent delivers amazing transfection efficiency in neurons and a broad-spectrum of primary cells, enabling improved application outcomes and more biologically relevant research. This reagent’s novel lipid nanoparticle technology is optimized to deliver a high amount of mRNA possible without the nuclear entry step that is required with DNA.
Figure 1. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX outperforms leading DNA delivery reagent and leading mRNA delivery reagent in primary cells (fresh isolated mouse cortical neurons, BJ fibroblasts, and primary keratinocytes). Lipofectamine MessengerMAX and the leading mRNA delivery reagent were used to deliver GFP mRNA (500 ng/well) in a 24-well format. The leading DNA delivery reagent was used to deliver GFP DNA (500 ng/well), and GFP was analyzed 24 hours post-transfection.
Figure 2. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX outperforms leading DNA delivery reagent and leading mRNA delivery reagent in various stem cells (Gibco iPSCs, H9 ESCs, mESCs, hNSCs). Lipofectamine MessengerMAX and the leading mRNA delivery reagent were used to deliver GFP mRNA (250 ng/well) in a 48-well format. The leading DNA delivery reagent was used to deliver GFP DNA (250 ng/well), and GFP was analyzed 24 hours post-transfection.
Figure 3. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX outperforms leading DNA delivery reagent and leading mRNA delivery reagent in various cell lines that are very difficult to transfect (bEnd.3, SH-SY5Y, SK-N-SH, A431, RAW 264.7, and HT29). Lipofectamine MessengerMAX and the leading mRNA delivery reagent were used to deliver GFP mRNA (500 ng/well) in a 24-well format. The leading DNA delivery reagent was used to deliver GFP DNA (500 ng/well), and GFP was analyzed 24 hours post-transfection.
Figure 1. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX outperforms leading DNA delivery reagent and leading mRNA delivery reagent in primary cells (fresh isolated mouse cortical neurons, BJ fibroblasts, and primary keratinocytes). Lipofectamine MessengerMAX and the leading mRNA delivery reagent were used to deliver GFP mRNA (500 ng/well) in a 24-well format. The leading DNA delivery reagent was used to deliver GFP DNA (500 ng/well), and GFP was analyzed 24 hours post-transfection.
Figure 2. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX outperforms leading DNA delivery reagent and leading mRNA delivery reagent in various stem cells (Gibco iPSCs, H9 ESCs, mESCs, hNSCs). Lipofectamine MessengerMAX and the leading mRNA delivery reagent were used to deliver GFP mRNA (250 ng/well) in a 48-well format. The leading DNA delivery reagent was used to deliver GFP DNA (250 ng/well), and GFP was analyzed 24 hours post-transfection.
Figure 3. Lipofectamine MessengerMAX outperforms leading DNA delivery reagent and leading mRNA delivery reagent in various cell lines that are very difficult to transfect (bEnd.3, SH-SY5Y, SK-N-SH, A431, RAW 264.7, and HT29). Lipofectamine MessengerMAX and the leading mRNA delivery reagent were used to deliver GFP mRNA (500 ng/well) in a 24-well format. The leading DNA delivery reagent was used to deliver GFP DNA (500 ng/well), and GFP was analyzed 24 hours post-transfection.
mRNA transfection: Fast protein expression with no risk of genomic integration
While DNA transfection is the most common method used to express a gene of interest, this process involves several steps, including DNA entry into the nucleus. The entry of DNA into the nucleus is often one of the most difficult transfection steps, especially in hard-to-transfect cells.
In contrast, mRNA transfection is simpler than DNA transfection as the mRNA transcript can be delivered directly into the cells and does not require nuclear entry (step 4, Figure 4) for expression. In addition, mRNA transfection is cell cycle independent and helps eliminate the risk of genomic integration.
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX Transfection Reagent, specifically designed for mRNA transfection, results in fast protein expression with homogeneity of expression among the transfected cells.
Figure 4. DNA vs. mRNA transfection.
Up to 10X higher cleavage efficiency using CRISPR mRNAs
Lipofectamine MessengerMAX reagent increases the likelihood of cleavage and recombination with CRISPR nuclease mRNA through highly efficient transfection, helping maximize the efficiency of CRISPR-driven genetic modifications and simplifying downstream processes.
Figure 5. Cleavage efficiency of various Invitrogen GeneArt CRISPR formats targeting the HPRT locus in Gibco iPS cells in a 12-well format. Invitrogen Lipofectamine 3000 reagent was used to deliver CRISPR nuclease all-in-one plasmid DNA; Lipofectamine MessengerMAX reagent and two leading mRNA delivery reagents were used to deliver an all-RNA CRISPR format (Cas9 mRNA + IVT gRNA). Cleavage efficiency was determined using the Invitrogen GeneArt Genomic Cleavage Detection Kit 72 hours post-transfection.
Getting started with mRNA delivery in cells is as easy as 1-2-3!
Prepare DNA template
Prepare your DNA template with a T7 promoter. You may choose to clone your gene with an Invitrogen Gateway pcDNA-DEST40 Vector or amplify it with PCR and T7-containing primers.
Generate mRNA
Transcribe your template DNA with the Invitrogen mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 ULTRA Transcription Kit to generate mRNA for transfection.
Transfect your mRNA with our simple Lipofectamine MessengerMAX transfection protocol.
Download the Lipofectamine MessengerMAX protocol
Prepare DNA template
Prepare your DNA template with a T7 promoter. You may choose to clone your gene with an Invitrogen Gateway pcDNA-DEST40 Vector or amplify it with PCR and T7-containing primers.
Generate mRNA
Transcribe your template DNA with the Invitrogen mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 ULTRA Transcription Kit to generate mRNA for transfection.
Transfect your mRNA with our simple Lipofectamine MessengerMAX transfection protocol.
Download the Lipofectamine MessengerMAX protocol
| Cell type | Lipofectamine MessengerMAX transfection efficiency (%) |
|---|---|
| MDA-MB-231 |  |
| A431 |  |
| A549 | |
| bEnd.3 |  |
| BJ fibroblast | |
| H9 ESCs | |
| Primary hepatocytes | |
| Hep G2 | |
| HT-29 | |
| iPSCs | |
| Primary keratinocytes | |
| L929 | |
| LNCaP | |
| hNSCs | |
| MCF7 | |
| Neuro-2a | |
| Primary neurons | |
| RAW 264.7 | |
| RBL |  |
| SK-N-SH | |
| SH-SY5Y | |
Transfection efficiency (%): <30% 30–50% 51–79% >80%
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about working with mRNA
Why is mRNA unstable?
Is it difficult to work with mRNA?
Do mRNA transfections take longer than DNA transfections?
Are mRNA transfections more expensive?
How to get started with Lipofectamine MessengerMAX reagent
To help ensure validity of transfection results, we strongly recommend the use of a positive control mRNA, available from various third-party vendors, including TriLink BioTechnologies (e.g., EGFP mRNA).
Sustainable packaging
Packaging must protect the product inside—but that doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sustainability. Lipofectamine products are shipped at ambient temperature, diverting 24,000 ft3 of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) coolers from landfills annually. We reduce the carbon footprint from packaging and shipping these products by 80 tons (CO2 equivalents).
Learn more about sustainable solutions
Download the green fact sheet
Lipid nanoparticles for in vivo delivery
Vivofectamine Delivery Solutions are highly advanced lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that have been selected from a large, diverse lipid library and extensively screened for performance, safety and efficacy. Designed especially for selectively and efficiently delivering nucleic acid payloads to a variety of targets, these products and services are available in formats ranging from individual ionizable lipids to pre-mixed lipid compositions and as a formulation service.
Our Lipofectamine reagent-specific protocols have been optimized for efficiency, viability, and reproducibility across a broad range of cell types. Search this library to find protocols and citations curated to fit your experimental needs. Filter by cell type, payload, and product of choice to easily unlock your answers.
Search our extensive collection of Transfection FAQs to find the answers related to Lipofectamine MessengerMAX reagent.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.