Abstract: The present invention provides a method for introducing nucleic acids into cells. The method involves exposing the cells to a compound having the formula ##STR1## in which: w is a nucleic acidx is a non-amino acid or non-peptide nucleic acid binding groupy is a spacer having a chain length equivalent to 1-30 carbon-carbon single covalent bonds or is absentR.sub.4 is H or halogen or CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.3 ; and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are either hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl, hydroxylated alkenyl groups or ether containing alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl or hydroxylated alkenyl groups optionally being an acyl group having a carbon chain length equivalent to 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 includes a group having a carbon chain of 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, or to a compound having the formula:w . . . y--y--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.