Table 14.1 Techniques for loading molecules into the cytoplasm.
| Method of Plasma Membrane Breach | Size of Molecules Loaded (MW) * |
|---|
| Chemical |
ATP  | 1000 |
| Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) | 150,000; (DNA) |
| Influx pinocytic cell-loading reagent (I14402) | 150,000 |
| α-Toxin of Staphylococcus aureus | 1000 |
| Vehicle |
| Red blood cell fusion | 300,000 |
| Cationic lipids (Lipofectamine reagents) | (DNA) |
| Mechanical |
| Microinjection | 150,000 |
| Whole-cell patch clamping | Very high |
| Carbon nanotubes and nanowires | 150,000; (DNA) |
| Scrape loading | 500,000; (DNA) |
| Ultrasonication | 70,000; (DNA) |
| Microprojectile bombardment | 10,000; (DNA) |
| Glass beads | 150,000 |
| Electrical |
| Electroporation † | 150,000; (DNA) |
| * Molecular weight (MW) of largest molecules reported loaded (DNA is listed separately if it has been successfully introduced by a technique). † We recommend the Neon® Transfection System (www.invitrogen.com/neon) for efficient electroporation of cultured cell lines, primary cells and stem cells. |