transfected
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /trænsˈfɛktɪd/
KK: /trænsˈfɛktɪd/
adjective
Definition
Describing a cell that has been genetically modified to contain foreign DNA or RNA.
Example
The transfected cells showed a significant increase in protein production.
Conversation
Did you hear about the new study on cells?
Yeah, I read that they used transfected cells for their experiments.
I wonder how effective those transfected cells are in producing results.
They seem to be quite promising, based on what I've seen.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
infected
introduced
inserted
Antonyms
uninfected
removed
excluded
verb
Definition
To introduce foreign DNA or RNA into a cell, often to study gene function or produce proteins.
Example
The researchers transfected the cells with a new gene to observe its effects.
Tense Forms
Past: transfected
Past Participle: transfected
Conversation
Did you hear how they transfected the cells in the lab last week?
Yeah, I read about that! It sounds really interesting.
I know, right? I wonder what results they got after they transfected them.
Root Explanation
Transfected → It is formed from "trans-" (meaning across) and "fect" (from Latin "facere", meaning to make or do). The word "transfected" refers to the process of introducing genetic material across a cell membrane, effectively making changes to the cell's genetic makeup.
Memory Tip
Think of 'trans-' meaning 'across' and 'fect' meaning 'to make' — this helps you remember that transfected means to make changes by introducing something across into a cell.
Visually Confused Words
trisected