Gonad Microinjection Technique
Gonad Microinjection Technique - Related Videos
03:59
Gonad Microinjection: A Method of Compound Delivery Directly into the Germline of C. elegans
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2023
This video describes microinjection, a common method of creating transgenic C. elegans strains. In the example, we will see microinjection used to introduce a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex for CRISPR-bases gene editing.
02:59
C. elegans Gonad Extrusion: A Rapid Dissection Technique
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This video describes a method to dissect gonads from adult C. elegans hermaphrodites, resulting in tissues that are suitable for immunostaining and fluorescent imaging.
08:12
Zebrafish Microinjection Techniques
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2023
One of the major advantages to working with zebrafish (Danio rerio) is that their genetics can be easily manipulated by microinjection of early stage embryos. Using this technique, solutions containing genetic material or knockdown constructs are delivered into the blastomeres: the embryonic cells sitting atop the yolk of the newly fertilized egg. Delivery into the cytoplasm is achieved either through direct injection into the blastomere, or via natural cytoplasmic movements that occur after a...
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Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue
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Cited by 6 •
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Here, we present a protocol for isolating gonadal tissue of larval zebrafish, which will facilitate investigations of zebrafish sex differentiation and maintenance.
11:29
Technique to Target Microinjection to the Developing Xenopus Kidney
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Cited by 17 •
2016
Here, we present a protocol to use fate maps and lineage tracers to target injections into individual blastomeres that give rise to the kidney of Xenopus laevis embryos.
FAQs
The critical factor is access to developing germ cells within the gonad. When introduced material reaches these reproductive cells, it can influence genetic information that contributes to offspring, rather than affecting only nonreproductive tissue. This makes the technique useful for examining heritable genetic changes, inheritance patterns, and how altered genes influence later development.
A fine glass micropipette provides the narrow delivery path needed to place material within gonadal tissue, while controlled pressure regulates its release. Together, these features support precise deposition and help minimize physical damage to the organism. Maintaining this balance is important because excessive tissue injury could reduce the usefulness of the resulting genetic or reproductive analysis.
The technique places the prepared material directly into gonadal tissue instead of relying on a delivery route that may not efficiently reach reproductive cells. This direct access is especially valuable when researchers need to study heritable effects. Its use can therefore complement other approaches by linking experimental delivery more closely with germ-cell modification and progeny analysis.
A typical workflow begins by preparing the nucleic acid, protein, or other experimental material as a solution. The solution is loaded into a fine glass micropipette, positioned at the gonad, and delivered with controlled pressure. The procedure is designed to introduce the material into gonadal tissue while limiting damage, after which researchers can examine genetic or reproductive outcomes.
The approach can deliver nucleic acids, proteins, or other prepared materials, depending on the experimental objective. The selected material determines what biological question the injection addresses, such as altering gene activity or testing a protein’s effect. Because the material is placed directly into gonadal tissue, researchers can evaluate consequences in reproductive cells and, where appropriate, their progeny.
Biologists apply the method to generate transgenic organisms, test gene function, and investigate inheritance, development, and reproductive biology. It is particularly relevant when researchers need experimental material to reach the germline and potentially produce heritable changes. Results can connect a delivered factor with genetic outcomes in progeny, providing evidence about its role across generations.