In ovo Electroporation of Chicken Embryos

Overview

Electroporation is a technique used in biomedical research that allows for the manipulation of gene expression via the delivery of foreign genetic material into cells. More specifically, in ovo electroporation is performed on early developing chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) contained within their eggshells. In this procedure, DNA or knockdown constructs are first injected into a target tissue. However, the genetic material is unable to penetrate the plasma membrane to carry out its function within the cell. To solve this problem, an electrical field is applied, causing temporary disruptions to membrane stability. This electric field also causes the negatively charged nucleic acids to migrate toward the positively charged electrode through the holes in the plasma membrane, thus effectively driving the DNA or knockdown construct into the cell. The major advantage of this technique is that the delivery of genetic material can be localized to isolated cell types at specific developmental time points. As a result, the genetic mechanisms that govern individual developmental events can be examined.

This video provides an overview of the principles behind in ovo electroporation and introduces the tools required for the technique, including capillary needles, electrodes, and an electroporator. A step-by-step protocol for carrying out the procedure is also presented prior to discussion of a few fascinating examples of how the technique is used to perform a variety of genetic manipulations in chicken embryos.

Procedure

Electroporation is a technique used to introduce foreign genetic material into cells. Electroporation of chick embryos inside the egg, or in ovo electroporation, is a valuable tool for developmental biologists because the delivery of genetic material can be localized to specific tissues and specific developmental time points. This video will introduce the basic principles of in ovo electroporation, describe essential steps of the procedure, and discuss how this technique can be used to study biological p

Log in or to access full content. Learn more about your institution’s access to JoVE content here

Tags
ElectroporationIn Ovo ElectroporationGenetic MaterialCellsChick EmbryosDevelopmental BiologistsTissuesDevelopmental Time PointsDNA DeliveryMicroinjectionPlasma MembraneElectrical CurrentPoresPositive ElectrodeTransfected CellsHamburger Hamilton Stage 20Ex Ovo Culture

Skip to...

0:00

Overview

0:46

Basic Principles of Electroporation

1:37

Preparing for Electroporation

3:58

Performing the Electroporation

4:45

Applications

6:21

Summary

Videos from this collection:

article

Now Playing

In ovo Electroporation of Chicken Embryos

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

24.7K Views

article

מבוא לעכבר המעבדה: שרירים

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

91.0K Views

article

מבוא לצ'יק: גאלוס גאלוס ביתיות

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

61.3K Views

article

מבוא לדג הזברה: דניו ריו

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

76.7K Views

article

טיפול ותחזוקה בסיסיים בעכבר

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

44.1K Views

article

טיפוח ותחזוקה בסיסיים של אפרוחים

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

13.7K Views

article

תחזוקה וחזקה של דגי זברה

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

23.7K Views

article

פיתוח ורבייה של עכבר המעבדה

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

57.3K Views

article

פיתוח האפרוח

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

83.3K Views

article

רבייה והתפתחות של דגי זברה

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

99.0K Views

article

גנוטיפינג עכבר

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

88.7K Views

article

גידול דגי זברה וטיפול בעובר

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

56.3K Views

article

החדרת סוכנים ניסיוניים לעכבר

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

39.7K Views

article

אפרוח לשעבר אובו תרבות

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

18.4K Views

article

טכניקות מיקרו-ההטחה של דגי זברה

Biology II: Mouse, Zebrafish, and Chick

53.3K Views

JoVE Logo

Privacy

Terms of Use

Policies

Research

Education

ABOUT JoVE

Copyright © 2025 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved