Overview
The ability to transfect DNA into mammalian cells and cell lines is a critical step in the analysis of gene expression, protein structure and function and molecular interactions within the cell. The Transfection Dashboard was developed from responses to a 35-question survey by over 365 scientists predominantly located in North America and Europe. This Dashboard reveals key market indicators for the transfection market as a whole as well as for the following sub-segments:

• Chemically-mediated transfection
• Lipid-mediated transfection
• Instrument-mediated transfection

The genomics revolution has set the table for the study of gene expression & regulation as well as protein structure and function. The technique of transfection is a necessary precursor to many of the methods we rely on to build upon the knowledge gained by genome sequencing projects, including:

• Gene silencing studies
• in vivo analysis of protein expression
• Reporter gene assays

In order to dive more deeply into the characteristics and dynamics of the market for transfection products, Percepta has launched this initial Transfection Dashboard, designed to take a snapshot of the current market landscape.

Survey Methodology
In November/December of 2006, Percepta fielded three surveys to our panel of active life scientists:

• Nucleic Acid Purification and Amplification Survey
• Gene Silencing and Gene Expression Profiling Survey
• Mammalian Transfection and Cell Culture Survey
This report reveals the results of the Transfection section of the Mammalian Transfection and Cell Culture Survey. The results of the Cell Culture portion of the survey as well as the other two survey projects are available as separate Life Science Dashboard™ publications. Contact Percepta for more information on these additional reports.

Individuals were invited by e-mail blast to click through to a webpage at bioanalytix.com where the survey was hosted. Invitations were delivered on November 13, 2006 and results collected through December 8. A total of 365 scientists completed the survey, of which 289 are actively engaged in the transfection of mammalian cells or cell lines.

Respondent Demographics
Respondents from the academic, government and commercial market segments are well represented, with over 18% of respondents employed in an industry setting. Nearly 80% of respondents are from North America, while about 19% reside in Europe.

Junior (Lab Tech, Grad Students), mid level (Post-Doc, Lab Manager) and senior-level (Professor/PI, Group Leader) scientists are well represented in the data set, with the most cited job titles being Scientist/Senior Scientist (22.7% of respondents) and Post-Doctoral Fellow (17.8%).

A wide variety of scientific areas of specialization is also evident, led by cell biology (indicated by 23.5% of respondents as their primary area of expertise), biochemistry (16.6%), immunology (10.5%) microbiology/infectious disease/ virology (8.6%) and neuroscience (6.6%).

Small (1-5 scientists), medium (6-20 scientists) and large (>20 scientists) laboratories are well represented: 32.1% of respondents work in labs where 1 to 5 people perform experiments; 51.7% in labs with 6 to 20 experimenters, and the remaining 16.1% in labs with greater than 20 bench scientists.