Which of the following is a prominent method of gene delivery?

Electroporation is a prominent method of gene delivery that involves the application of an electrical field to cells, which increases the permeability of the cell membrane. This technique allows for the introduction of nucleic acids, such as plasmid DNA or RNA, directly into the cells. The electrical pulses create temporary pores in the membrane, facilitating the entry of these genetic materials into the cytoplasm where they can be expressed. This method is widely used in various fields such as gene therapy, transfection, and molecular biology due to its efficiency and ability to work with a wide range of cell types.

Other options, such as gene replication, are processes related to the copying of genetic material but do not pertain to the delivery of new genes into cells. Cellular respiration refers to the metabolic processes by which cells convert nutrients into energy, and does not have a direct role in gene delivery. Protein denaturation involves the alteration of protein structure and function but also does not relate to the transfer of genetic material into cells. Therefore, electroporation stands out as a notable and effective method for gene delivery in biotechnology.