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Updated: May 5, 2026
Author Spotlight: Optimizing Embryo Microinjection for Transgenesis in Drosophila
Published on: June 7, 2024
Enhanced efficiency of P-element mediated transgenesis in Drosophila: Microinjection of DNA complexed with
Madhavi Sonane1, Ritu Goyal, Debapratim K Chowdhuri
11] CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, UP, 226001, INDIA [2].
Abstract:
The efficiency of genetic transformation technology to generate stable transgenics depends upon the successful delivery of plasmid DNA in embryonic cells. The available gene vectors facilitate efficient plasmid DNA delivery to the cellular milieu but are exposed to nuclease degradation. Recent in vitro studies suggest encapsulation of plasmid DNA with nanomaterial(s) for better protection against nucleases. Therefore, in this study, we tested if complexing of free plasmid DNA with linear polyethylenimine (LPEI, 25 kDa) based nanoparticle (LPN) enhances the efficiency of transformation (transgenesis) by using Drosophila based germ-line transformation technology. Here, we show that the LPN-DNA complex not only enhances the efficiency of this transgenic technology at a DNA concentration of 0.04 μg/μl but also reduces the DNA quantity required to generate transgenics by ten folds. This approach has potential applications for other types of transgenesis and nucleic acid injection methods in Drosophila as well as other popular genetic model systems.
