Electroporation strategies for genetic manipulation and cell labeling

Electroporation has emerged as an effective method for cell labeling and manipulation of gene expression. In the past decade, electroporation applications have expanded to include in vivo chick, mouse, Xenopus, and zebrafish techniques, along with numerous in vitro strategies for cell and tissue culture. We focus on applications relevant to neural stem cell research, providing detailed protocols for in ovo chick electroporation and in vitro targeting of neuroepithelial precursor cells. Electroporation descriptions and related figures identify the tools and reagents needed to carry out targeting of the neuroepithelium. Various applications of the electroporation technique in neural stem cell research are highlighted, along with corresponding publications.