7.2.1 Non-Viral Vectors Used in In-Vivo Applications
7.2.1.1 Calcium Phosphate

The technique involves, mixing plasmid DNA in a solution of calcium chloride, and then added to a phosphate- buffered solution. After 20 minutes a fine precipitate forms in the solution, and this solution is then added to the cells in culture. However, the number of cells that take the introduced genes and express the desired gene is usually quite limited and reaches around 10%, where in some cases its level is only less than 1%. Treating the transfected cells with glecerol can increase the efficiency.  The DNA precipitates most probably enter the cell by endocytosis (Ledley, F.D. 1995). It is common to transfer plasmid DNA into a variety of cell cultures and packaging cell lines. The low level of transgene expression is a disadvantage of this technique, in spite of its minimal toxicity and inexpensive.