ScienceSeptember 2, 2026

transfection

trans-FEK-shun

Definition

The process of introducing foreign nucleic acids, such as RNA, into eukaryotic cells.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of 'transfer' and 'infection', reflecting its biological mechanism of introducing genetic material into cells similarly to how a virus might infect a host.

In the news

In this article, transfection refers to the success rate of the STV-C8 system in delivering RNA into target cells, which was significantly higher than that of traditional lipid nanoparticles.

AI-designed proteins enable a new generation of RNA transporters

Read the full article ↗

Phys.org

Related words

arabinosyltransferase

A specific type of enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an arabinose sugar molecule to…

Science

asynchrony

The state of being out of step or lack of simultaneous occurrence in time, particularly…

Science

capsids

The protective protein shell of a virus particle, which encloses its genetic material.

Science

carboxylic

Relating to or containing a carboxyl group, which is a specific chemical structure…

Science

centrosymmetric

Describing a crystal or geometric structure that possesses a center of inversion, meaning…

Science

chlorosis

A condition in plants where leaves turn pale yellow or white due to a lack of…

Science

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.