ibidi Fuse-It membrane fusion technology

ibidi Fuse-It reagents are an alternative to gene transfection. The product line uses membrane fusion to transfer various molecules and particles into living cells. The speed and efficiency of the technique cuts down experiment times from days to minutes.

Membrane fusion makes it possible to effectively incorporate different classes of molecules into the cellular membrane or into the cytoplasm. With the Fuse-It product line, ibidi offers specifically optimised solutions for various molecular classes, which are required for a wide range of applications (eg, dyes, proteins, lipids and beads).

The technology provides fast results - within a few seconds to a few minutes - independent of cell type, cell density and developmental state. Due to systematic adaptations of the liposome composition, the product ensures fusion efficiencies up to 80-100%. The short incubation times provide almost unaffected cell behaviour after the molecule transfer. Membrane fusion is thus suitable for functional studies and therapeutic approaches in cancer research and cell biology.

The incorporation of small liposomal carriers into the plasma membrane of mammalian cells is the idea behind the product line. Specific liposomal carriers are able to attach and instantly fuse with plasma membranes in a physicochemical-driven manner. Since the reagents efficiently use this mechanism and fuse immediately on contact with mammalian cell surfaces, the transfer of molecules is independent of biological processes such as endocytosis, pinocytosis and specific receptor binding.