Surfection: a new platform for transfected cell arrays

Efficient high‐throughput expression of genes in mammalian cells can facilitate large‐scale functional genomic studies. Towards this aim, we developed a simple yet powerful method to deliver genes into cells by cationic polymers on the surface of substrates. Transfection can be achieved by directly contacting nucleic acid–cell mixtures with the cationic substrates, e.g. polyethylenimine/collagen‐coated wells. This single‐step matrix‐surface‐ mediated transfection method, termed ‘surfection’, can efficiently deliver multiple plasmids into cells and can successfully assay siRNA‐mediated gene silencing. This technology represents the easiest method to transfer combinations of genes in large‐scale arrays, and is a versatile tool for live‐cell imaging and cell‐based drug screening.