Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for transfecting a mammalian cell culture. The process includes incubating a cell culture in the presence of a transfection medium that includes a serum that is of a different type from the serum used in the normal growth medium used to grow the cell culture. It is preferred that the normal growth medium include fetal bovine serum and the transfection medium include a serum such as human, calf, horse, lamb, or pig. The transfection medium may further include an hydryoxylated sterol such as 25-hydroxycholesterol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process, a cell culture medium, and a kit for the rapid, high-efficiency transfection of mammalian cells with exogenous DNA. The process comprises incubating a cell culture in the presence of a transfection medium comprising a serum that is different from the serum in the normal growth medium used to grow the cells, and DNA to produce transfected cells. In a preferred embodiment the normal growth medium comprises fetal bovine serum and the transfection medium comprises a serum such as human, calf, horse, lamb, or pig serum. The transfection medium may further comprise an hydroxylated sterol such as 25-hydroxycholesterol.

Abstract: A technique for achieving a substantially planar structure incorporating embedded vapor phase epitaxial growth involves the use of a window-frame shaped mask 40 of epitaxial growth resistant material to define a well in which embedded growth is to occur, and subsequently to ease mask registration problems in the location of a mask 60 employed while selectively removing unwanted material epitaxially grown on regions surrounding the well. Complementary format structures may also be formed in which epitaxial growth is provided up the sides of a mesa to substantially the same height as material grown on top of the mesa itself.