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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Microstructured Devices for Optimized Microinjection and Imaging of Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: December 8, 2017
Patterned delivery and expression of gene constructs into zebrafish embryos using microfabricated interfaces.
Tushar Bansal1, Justin Lenhart, Taesung Kim
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. tbansal@umich.edu
Biomedical Microdevices
|January 9, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed custom microfluidic electroporators to precisely deliver molecules like DNA and mRNA into zebrafish embryos. This method enables patterned gene expression and simultaneous delivery of multiple compounds, advancing developmental biology research.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Bioengineering
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Precise delivery of molecules into developing embryos is crucial for studying gene function and developmental processes.
- Existing methods for molecular delivery often lack spatial control or are inefficient.
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos are a valuable model system for studying vertebrate development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel method for patterned delivery of foreign molecules into developing zebrafish embryos.
- To create custom-shaped electroporators using microfabrication and microfluidics.
- To investigate the efficiency and applicability of this technique for delivering various molecules, including DNA and mRNA.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of custom microfluidic electroporators.
- Patterned delivery of tracer molecules, DNA, and mRNA into zebrafish embryos at different developmental stages.
- Application of square electrical pulses (10-20 V, 50-100 ms) for electroporation.
- Assessment of delivery efficiency, gene expression, and embryo survival rates.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated patterned delivery of Trypan Blue, Texas Red, GFP-DNA, and GFP-mRNA into zebrafish embryos.
- Achieved patterned expression of delivered DNA and mRNA in the targeted regions.
- Optimized electroporation parameters (voltage, pulse width) for efficient delivery from late blastula to early pharyngula stages.
- Reported high survival rates (91.3% and 89%) and delivery efficiencies (38% for GFP-DNA, 50% for GFP-mRNA) in 24 hpf dechorionated embryos.
- Showcased the capability for simultaneous delivery of different compounds.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic-based electroporation offers a versatile and precise tool for patterned molecular delivery into developing embryos.
- This method facilitates the study of gene function and developmental mechanisms with enhanced spatial and temporal control.
- The technique is efficient, adaptable to different molecules and developmental stages, and compatible with high embryo survival rates.
