The use of carbohydrate-based surfactant compounds having the general formula (I): ##STR1##

wherein Y₁ and Y₂, which may be the same or different, are carbohydrate groups;

R₁ and R₂, which may be the same or different, are selected from:

• a) hydrogen;
• b) C_(1-24) alkyl group;
• c) C_(1-24) alkyl carboxy group; or
• d) a carbon chain of 2 to 24 carbon atoms having one or more carbon/carbon double bonds,

and n is from 1 to 10;

for facilitating the transfer of DNA or RNA polynucleotides, or analogs thereof, into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell in vivo or in vitro.

New carbohydrate-based surfactant compounds are also disclosed.