Electroporation Techniques to Target Subependymal Zone Neurogenic Niche

In vivo electroporation is a technique that allows for the transfection of specific neuronal progenitor pools in the developing embryo or during early postnatal stages. By combining plasmid DNA injection with the application of electric pulses, this method directs DNA to the targeted region, facilitating its entry into neural stem cells. This approach enables functional experiments by perturbing genes of interest and conducting cell-tracking studies using fluorescent proteins. The technique offers temporal flexibility to target neural stem cells in the subependymal zone (SEZ) niche either embryonically or postnatally, depending on the experiment. The SEZ is a key region in the lateral ventricle walls of adult mammals where neurogenesis continues, being the most significant germinal niche in rodents. In this protocol, we describe the procedures for performing genetic manipulations in utero and during the postnatal stage using electroporation for SEZ studies.