Biolistics has been developed as a system for gene delivery into plant
cells, but has recently been introduced for transfection into mammali
an tissue, including few attempts in neural cells. Basically, in this
system the plasmid DNA of interest is coated onto small particles, tha
t are accelerated by a particular driving force. The combination of se
veral so-called 'ballistic' parameters and tissue parameters determine
the transfection efficiency. The main advantage of the system is that
it is, unlike other available transfection methods, a mechanical way
to cross the plasma membrane and therefore less dependent on target ce
ll characteristics. In terms of transfection efficiency, biolistics se
ems favorable above conventional techniques, like calcium phosphate pr
ecipitation and lipofection. Compared to viral techniques biolistics m
ay be less efficient, but is quicker and easier to handle and seems to
produce fewer complications for in vivo gene delivery. Therefore, alt
hough the technique is only in a developmental stage, preliminary resu
lts seem promising, and optimalization of the method may prove useful
in scientific research and/or clinical use.