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Analysis of Gene Function in the Retina

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Electroporation Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 423))

Abstract

The Retina is a good model system for studies of neural development and disease because of its simplicity and accessibility. To analyze gene function rapidly and conveniently, we developed an electroporation technique in mice and rats for use in vivo and in vitro. The efficiency of electroporation into the neonatal retina is quite good, and transgene expression persists for more than a month. With this technique, various types of DNA constructs, including RNA interference (RNAi) vectors, are readily introduced into the retina without DNA size limitation. In addition, more than two different DNA constructs can be introduced into the retina at once, with very high cotransfection efficiency.

In vivo and in vitro electroporation will provide a powerful method to analyze the molecular mechanisms of retinal development and disease.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Douglas Kim for providing the pictures. This work was supported by NIH EYO 8064 and 9676 and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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© 2008 Humana Press

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Matsuda, T., Cepko, C.L. (2008). Analysis of Gene Function in the Retina. In: Li, S. (eds) Electroporation Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 423. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-194-9_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-194-9_19

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-877-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-194-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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