Transfection of Mature Primary Neurons (≥10 DIV) using MagnetofectionTM with NeuroMagTM v1

Post-mitotic neurons are highly sensitive to chemical and physical perturbation and conventional transfection methods show poor efficiency and high toxicity particularly in mature cultures where synaptic networks are functionally established. This protocol describe Magnetofection-mediated gene delivery into primary neurons cultured for 10-22 days in vitro (DIV) using NeuroMag reagent. By complexing magnetic nanoparticles with nucleic acids, magnetofection concentrates DNA onto cells within minutes achieving efficient transfection with high viability. This method is applicable to primary neurons (hippocampal, cortical, cerebellar, spinal neurons...) and is compatible with fluorescent imaging, electrophysiology as well as any biochemical analysis.