Figure 1

Efficient DNA transfection of stage 26–28 Xenopus embryos. a: Schematic representation of the experimental setup. Embryos were placed in the main channel of the electroporation chamber, while the electrode tips (0.5 mm wide) were positioned in the transverse channel. A diagram of the setup is presented as an insert with channel (outlines in red). b, c: Representative images of embryos electroporated in 1× MMR and 0.1× MBS. Bright field images (left panel) and GFP fluorescence (right panel) of living embryos 12 h after electroporation. No morphological abnormalities are observed. d: Histograms presenting the relative transfection efficiencies (blue) evaluated from observation of embryos as shown in c and d. The percentage of embryos showing macroscopic damage (red) was recorded for each condition. Different parameters are listed in the following order: Voltage, pulse duration, interpulse space and number of pulses. e, f: Electroporation resulted in a high percentage of transfected cells without affecting brain microanatomy. Nls-GFP signal (e) was observed in many nuclei (f) from the ventricle to the most superficial layer 48 h after electroporation. The transfected hemi-brain was outlined in white. Scale bars: 400 μm in b and c; 100 μm in e.