BPN452: Patterned Delivery and Expression of Gene Constructs into Zebrafish Embryos using Microfabricated Interfaces

We present the design, fabrication and results of microfabricated interfaces for the patterned delivery of foreign molecules via electroporation into developing embryos. We show how these systems can be used to ‘draw’ two-dimensional patterns of tracer molecules, DNA and mRNA into the yolk and cells of zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) at different stages of development. We demonstrate the successful delivery of two-dimensional patterns of trypan blue (normal dye), texas red (fluorescent dye), pCS2eGFP DNA and GFP-mRNA in both chorionated and dechorionated embryos. Both DNA and mRNA were expressed in the desired patterns subsequent to delivery.

Project end date: 08/11/09