Synthesis of pyridinium amphiphiles used for transfection and some characteristics of amphiphile/DNA complex formation

Pyridinium amphiphiles have found practical use for the delivery of DNA int o cells. Starting from 4-methylpyridine, a general synthesis has been devis ed for the production of pyridinium amphiphiles which allows variation in b oth the hydrophobic part and in the headgroup area of the compounds. By mea ns of differential scanning microcalorimetry, zeta potential, particle size measurements and cryo electron microscopy, some characteristics of the pyr idinium amphiphile/DNA complexes have been determined.