Transfection enhancers are agents or methods used to improve the efficiency of delivering nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, into cells during transfection. Transfection enhancers can improve the efficiency of transfection by facilitating the uptake of nucleic acids into cells, protecting the nucleic acids from degradation, and increasing their stability and expression.

There are different types of transfection enhancers available, including chemical agents, physical methods, and biological agents. Chemical agents such as lipids, polymers, and cationic detergents can help to form complexes with nucleic acids and improve their delivery into cells. Physical methods, such as electroporation, sonoporation, and microinjection, can create temporary pores in the cell membrane, allowing nucleic acids to enter the cells more easily. Biological agents, such as viruses and viral vectors, can also facilitate the delivery of nucleic acids into cells.

Transfection enhancers are commonly used in research and biotechnology applications to study gene function, produce recombinant proteins, and develop gene therapy treatments. However, it is important to carefully choose the appropriate transfection enhancer for a specific application to ensure optimal results and minimize potential side effects.