Why not? - (Sep/10/2007 )

I got a question during egzam: Why we are able to see expresion of e.g. reporter plasmid during transient transfection? Why is not degradated if there are a lot of protection systems in the cell? I didn't give any satisfy answer. Somebody can help?
Thanks in advance

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There are many protection systems. Yes.
And they are extremely sophisticated. Yes.
But hey thats what makes transient transfection a challenge.

The answer to your question is statistic. The cells does degrade alien DNA but no chemical reactions works 100% effectifly. Thats why you have to transfect so many cells. Millions, billions depending on what you are about to do until one cell will fail to degrade your plasmid and express it.

Some methods will raise the probability of a succesful transfection a lot (by inhibiting this protection systems a little for example) but still its a matter of good luck.

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