 Non-viral vectors have been used for gene therapy since the early 1,980s but despite their simplicity in theory they can be difficult to implement due to numerous challenges. These include intracellular and extracellular barriers as well as difficulties with production formulation and storage. Despite these hurdles there has been progress made in lipid based carriers, polymeric formulations and optimization of existing compounds. This review summarized the current state of non-viral vector research focusing on the most promising developments and recent advancements. This article was authored by Murli Ramamurth and Aparna Narvekar.