Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
08:48
A Method for Microinjection of Patiria minata Zygotes
Published on: September 1, 2014
10.3K
A method for microinjection of Patiria miniata zygotes
Alys M Cheatle Jarvela1, Veronica Hinman2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|September 17, 2014
Summary
This study details a microinjection method for the sea star Patiria miniata, enabling genetic modification of embryos. This advance facilitates research into gene function and developmental evolution in echinoderms.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Marine Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Echinoderms are established models for reproduction and development.
- Sea stars, like Patiria miniata, are emerging as key models for gene regulation and evolutionary developmental studies.
- Previous research primarily utilized sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Lytechinus variegatus).
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a microinjection technique for the sea star Patiria miniata.
- To enable genetic manipulation of Patiria miniata embryos for functional studies.
- To expand the toolkit for studying gene function and evolution in marine invertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Collection of gametes from Patiria miniata.
- Production of viable zygotes.
- Microinjection of perturbing reagents into zygotes to create modified embryos (morphants).
- Isolation of healthy morphant embryos for analysis.
Main Results:
- Successful microinjection protocol for Patiria miniata embryos.
- Generation of modified embryos for gene function studies.
- Demonstration of a method for creating gene-downregulated or -upregulated embryos.
Conclusions:
- The presented method facilitates the use of Patiria miniata as a model organism.
- This technique supports quantitative and qualitative studies of gene function in sea stars.
- Availability of genomic and transcriptomic data enhances the utility of Patiria miniata for developmental and evolutionary research.
