Patent ID: 7132404

Claim:
A method for transfection of target cells, comprising the steps of: a) providing: i) a plurality of synthetic liposomes comprising a ligand, a polymeric scaffold, and an exogenous nucleic acid, wherein said polymeric scaffold is attached to both said ligand and said nucleic acid, ii) a plurality of in vitro or ex vivo target cells, wherein said target cells are chondrocytes, and iii) at least one permeabilization agent not comprising said liposomes; b) exposing said plurality of target cells to said permeabilization agent to produce a plurality of permeabilized cells; and c) transfecting said permeabilized cells with said liposomes, under conditions such that said exogenous nucleic acid is introduced into said permeabilized cells, to produce transfected cells, wherein transfection efficiency is at least 50%.