DOTMA (N-(1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium) is a tetra-methylated DOTA analogue. DOTMA is a cationic lipid and can be used as a non-viral vector for gene therapy. It has been used as a component in liposomes that can be used to encapsulate siRNA, microRNAs, and oligonucleotides and for gene transfection in vitro. It exhibits effective in vitro and in vivo gene transfection. DOTMA induces a positive charge on the liposomes and thus promotes efficient liposome- cell membrane interaction.