Scalable, Serum-free, High Efficiency Transfection of CHO Cells using an Economical DNA Transfer Vehicle

Reports on large-scale transient gene expression (TGE) in mammalian cells focus on two transfection technologies. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and calcium phosphate (CaPi) mediated transfection have both been shown to work at scales beyond 10 liters. Unfortunately, both approaches yield higher recombinant protein (r-protein) levels in the presence of serum than in its absence. Since serum is a major cost factor and generally a hindrance to protein purification, our goal is to develop a productive large-scale TGE process in the absence of serum.