What does the process of transfection involve?

Transfection specifically refers to the introduction of foreign DNA or RNA into a cell. This process allows researchers to study gene function, protein expression, and the effects of genetic material on cellular behavior. By incorporating new genetic material, scientists can manipulate cellular pathways, investigate gene expression, and facilitate the production of specific proteins, making transfection a crucial technique in molecular biology and biotechnology.

The integration of proteins into cells focuses more on the final product of gene expression rather than the process itself, which is about delivering nucleic acids. Measurement of gene expression would involve analyzing the effects after transfection has occurred, rather than describing the transfection process. Manipulation of biological systems is a broader term that could encompass various techniques and methods, not specifically limited to the introduction of nucleic acids.