Infection vs. Transfection — What's the Difference?

An infection is the invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agents and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable disease, is an illness resulting from an infection.

Transfection is the process of deliberately introducing naked or purified nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. It may also refer to other methods and cell types, although other terms are often preferred: "transformation" is typically used to describe non-viral DNA transfer in bacteria and non-animal eukaryotic cells, including plant cells.

The invasion of bodily tissue by pathogenic microorganisms that proliferate, resulting in tissue injury that can progress to disease

Introduction of a segment of DNA or RNA into a eukaryotic cell by means of one of a variety of physical or chemical methods or through viral infection.

The entry or placement, as by injection, of a microorganism or infectious agent into a cell or tissue.

(molecular biology) The introduction of foreign genetic material (such as DNA or RNA) into a eukaryotic cell.

An instance of being infected

An agent or a contaminated substance responsible for one's becoming infected

The pathological state resulting from having been infected

An infectious disease

An instance of a virus or similar software program infecting a computer.

The communication of a usually undesirable idea, emotion, or attitude by contact with other people or by example.

(pathology) The act or process of infecting.

An uncontrolled growth of harmful microorganisms in a host.

A disease caused by a pathogen.

A visible sign of such a disease, such as the suppuration of a wound.

The act or process of infecting.

That which infects, or causes the communicated disease; any effluvium, miasm, or pestilential matter by which an infectious disease is caused.

The state of being infected; the condition of suffering from an infectious disease; contamination by morbific particles; the result of infecting influence; a prevailing disease; epidemic.

That which taints or corrupts morally; as, the infection of vicious principles.

Contamination by illegality, as in cases of contraband goods; implication.

Sympathetic communication of like qualities or emotions; influence.

A localized area of tissue which is inflamed by growth of microorganisms; as, he has an infection in his finger.

The pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms

(phonetics) the alteration of a speech sound under the influence of a neighboring sound

(medicine) the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and their multiplication which can lead to tissue damage and disease

An incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted

The communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people;

Moral corruption or contamination;

(international law) illegality that taints or contaminates a ship or cargo rendering it liable to seizure