TABLE 3.

Comparison of transient and stable transfection.

Transient transfection	Stable transfection
Transfected DNA is not integrated into the genome, but remains in the nucleus	Transfected DNA integrates into the genome
Transfected genetic material is not passed onto the progeny	Transfected genetic material is carried stably from generation to generation
Does not require selection	Requires selective screening for the isolation of stable transfectants
Both DNA vectors and RNA can be used for transient transfection	Only DNA vectors can be used for stable transfection
High copy number of transfected genetic material results in high level of protein expression	Single or low copy number of stably integrated DNA results in lower level of protein expression
Generally not suitable for studies using vectors with inducible promoters	Suitable for studies using vectors with inducible promoters