Applications of microelectroporation for studies of chick embryogenesis

A technique by which genes can be introduced into the cells and tissues of developing embryos has great potential for studying the roles of genes during vertebrate embryogenesis. The 'microelectroporation' technique, in which DNA is introduced into cells within a restricted area of developing chick embryos with high reproducibility, was developed by the authors. In this review, the advantages and applications of this microelectroporation technique for developmental studies and functional analysis of genes in chick embryos is discussed.