Polyethylenimine (PEI)

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a type of synthetic polymer composed of repeating units of ethylenimine, characterized by a high density of amine groups. These amine groups give PEI a positive charge, making it highly effective at binding to negatively charged molecules like DNA or RNA. Due to this property, PEI is commonly used in biotechnology to deliver genetic material into cells, a process known as gene delivery or transfection. Its efficiency and relatively low cost make PEI a popular choice for research and potential therapeutic applications related to gene therapy.