Hexadimethrine bromide

Hexadimethrine bromide (commercial brand name Polybrene) is a cationic polymer used to increase the efficiency of transduction of certain cells with virus in cell culture. Hexadimethrine bromide acts by neutralizing the charge repulsion between virions and sialic acid on the cell surface. Use of Polybrene can improve transduction efficiency 100-1000 fold although it can be toxic to some cell types. Polybrene in combination with DMSO shock is used to transfect some cell types such as NINH-3T3 and CHO. It has other uses, including a role in protein sequencing.

Historically, hexadimethrine bromide was sometimes used to reverse heparin anticoagulation during open-heart surgery. Its use has been supplanted by protamine sulfate.