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The suitability of cationically modified solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a novel transfection agent was investigated. SLN were produced by hot homogenisation using either Compritol ATO 888 or paraffin as matrix lipid, a mixture of Tween 80 and Span 85 as tenside and either EQ1 (N,N-di-(β-steaorylethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride) or cetylpyridinium chloride as charge carrier. The resulting particles were approximately 100 nm in size and showed zeta potentials around +40 mV at pH 7.4. DNA binding was tested by agarose gel electrophoresis. The resulting SLN–DNA complexes were further characterised by AFM and zeta potential measurements. Only the SLN batch SII-13, composed of 4% Compritol, 4% Tween/Span and 1% EQ1, was able to form stable complexes with DNA. Typical complexes were 300 to 800 nm in size. Cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency was tested in vitro on Cos-1 cells. Cationic …