Transfecting Neural Crest Cells in Avian Embryos Using In Ovo Electroporation

Stephanie R. Kadison; Catherine E. Krull

doi:10.1101/pdb.prot4925

Protocol

Transfecting Neural Crest Cells in Avian Embryos Using In Ovo Electroporation

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA

↵¹Corresponding author (krullc{at}umich.edu)

INTRODUCTION

This protocol outlines a method for introducing genes into the neural crest cells of avian embryos at vagal/cardiac and trunk levels. Electroporation offers the unique opportunity to misexpress genes or “knock down” the expression of their protein products using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) within targeted populations of cells. Electroporated cells can be visualized by using DNA plasmids that contain enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or other fluorescent reporter proteins.