A review. Transfection is a method of cell transformation based on the introduction of a plasmid encoding a protein or RNA into the living cells. Basic methods of transfection and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. A large part of the review is focused on the lentiviral transduction as one of the most efficient methods of transformation of nerve cells. The development of modern systems of lentiviral transfection is traced and a number of works performed with the use of in vivo and in vitro lentiviral transfection of the nervous system are reviewed.