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Delivery of DNA into the Central Nervous System via Electroporation

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Electroporation Protocols

Abstract

Electroporation of non-viral plasmid DNA is a valuable tool to alter gene expression in the adult central nervous system. It offers a number of advantages over viral gene delivery as non-viral plasmids can integrate larger inserts and reduce the risk of inducing unintended immunological responses. Generally, electroporation of the adult brain is accomplished in rodents by applying high-amplitude voltage-controlled pulses through the entire brain with plate electrodes surrounding the animal’s head. Here, we describe an alternative electroporation protocol making use of current-controlled low-amplitude pulses that are delivered locally by means of needlelike electrodes in the brain of adult mice. This allows altering gene expression in very-well-defined areas of the brain while inducing minimal tissue damage.

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De Vry, J. et al. (2014). Delivery of DNA into the Central Nervous System via Electroporation. In: Li, S., Cutrera, J., Heller, R., Teissie, J. (eds) Electroporation Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1121. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9631-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9632-8

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