DRY TRANSFECTION COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME
Dry, e.g., lyophilized, polymeric transfection agent compositions are provided. The dry compositions include a polymeric transfection agent and a buffer. In some instances, the compositions further include one or more nucleic acids. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, as well as kits including the compositions.
1 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . A dry composition comprising:
a polymeric transfection agent; and
a buffer.
17 . The dry composition according to claim 16 , wherein the dry composition is a lyophilized composition.
18 . The dry composition according to claim 16 , wherein the polymeric transfection agent comprises a heteropolymer.
19 . The dry composition according to claim 18 , wherein the polymeric transfection agent comprises a poly(β-amino esters) and salts and derivatives thereof.
20 . The dry composition according to claim 16 , wherein the composition is cryoprotectant free.
21 . The dry composition according to claim 16 , wherein the composition comprises a nucleic acid.
22 . The dry composition according to claim 21 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises an expression cassette.
23 . The dry composition according to claim 22 , wherein the expression cassette comprises a protein coding sequence.
24 . The dry composition according to claim 23 , wherein the protein comprises a viral protein.
25 . The dry composition according to claim 24 , wherein the composition comprises nucleic acids encoding two or more viral proteins.
26 . The dry composition according to claim 25 , wherein the composition comprises nucleic acids encoding all requisite proteins for producing a viral particle.
27 . The dry composition according to claim 26 , wherein the nucleic acids are present on the same vector.
28 . The dry composition according to claim 27 , wherein the nucleic acids are present on different vectors.
29 . The dry composition according to claim 26 , wherein the viral particle is a retroviral particle.
30 . The dry composition according to claim 22 , wherein the expression cassette is inducible.
31 . A method of introducing a nucleic acid into a cell, the method comprising:
a) combining:
i) a dry composition comprising a polymeric transfection agent and a buffer;
ii) a solvent; and
iii) the nucleic acid;
to produce a liquid transfection solution; and
b) contacting the liquid transfection solution with the cell to introduce the nucleic acid into the cell.
32 . The method according to claim 31 , wherein the polymeric transfection agent comprises a heteropolymer.
33 . A kit comprising:
a container; and
a dry composition comprising:
a polymeric transfection agent; and
a buffer;
present in the container.
34 . The kit according to claim 33 , wherein the kit further comprises a vector comprising a cloning site operably connected to a promoter.
35 . The kit according to claim 34 , wherein the vector further comprises a viral packaging sequence.