We thank Professor Bin Chen, Dr. Yue Zhang, and Kendy Hoang for help with setting up the electroporation system. This work was supported by grants from the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group and NIH to Z.A.W.

All procedures described here were performed in accordance with the guidelines and regulations from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of University of California Santa Cruz.
1. Plasmid and Tools Preparation
<ol>
	<li>For each bladder to transfect, prepare at least 20 &#181;L of DNA plasmid (1 &#181;g/&#181;L).</li>
	<li>Add 1 &#181;L of Trypan Blue to the 20 &#181;L of plasmid solution in a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube. Pipette to mix well.</li>
	<li>Autoclave all surgical instruments and sterilize the workspace with 70% ethanol. Spray surgical instruments and gloves with 70% ethanol frequently or use a glass bead sterilizer&#160;when performing the following steps to maintain sterile conditions.</li>
</ol>
2. Anaesthetizing Animal
<ol>
	<li>Use a table top anesthesia system to anesthetize the animal with isoflurane. Turn on the O2 tank and adjust the oxygen flowmeter to 1 L/min.</li>
	<li>Place an adult female C57BL/6J mouse in the induction chamber. Turn on and adjust the isoflurane vaporizer to 3% for induction. The mouse should be in anesthesia within 2 min.&#160;Administer buprenorphine analgesic (0.1 mg/kg) subcutaneously upon removal of the mouse from the induction chamber for preemptive analgesia. 
	NOTE: In this protocol, female mice are used, as they are easier to work with during urethra catheterization. The protocol also works for male mice, but extra caution is needed when performing step 3.</li>
	<li>Apply ophthalmic ointment to the eyes of the animal to prevent dryness. Place the anaesthetized mouse facing up on a heating pad with its nose in the nose cone. Turn the air circuit switch to let isoflurane go through the nose cone.</li>
	<li>Restrain the head and the nose cone with adhesive tape. Adjust the isoflurane vaporizer to 2% for maintenance.</li>
	<li>Restrain the limbs with adhesive tape. Perform toe-pinch tests to make sure the animal is in deep anesthesia and then shave the abdominal area.</li>
</ol>
3. Urine Depletion and Bladder Rinsing
<ol>
	<li>Apply lubricant to the catheter (24G, length of 2.11 cm, outer diameter of 0.045 cm) and ensure that its outer surface is fully covered.</li>
	<li>Insert the catheter into the urethra opening and slowly push it until it reaches the bladder, at which time the urine should flow out through the catheter. Gently press the abdomen to help urine depletion.
	<ol>
		<li>Check if the catheter is inserted correctly into the bladder by observing automatic urine out-flow. Avoid piercing the urethra and bladder wall, and apply lubricant multiple times if needed.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Discard the urine with a pipette into a waste beaker.</li>
	<li>Pipette 80 &#181;L of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) into the outer end of the catheter, with the other end still in the bladder. Carefully attach a 1 mL syringe to the catheter. Gently push the syringe to inject the PBS into the bladder. Leave some PBS in the catheter to avoid creating air bubbles in the bladder.</li>
	<li>Remove the syringe. Wait for PBS to drain out of the bladder. Gently press the abdomen to evacuate PBS.</li>
	<li>Discard the PBS in the catheter with a pipette into the waste beaker.</li>
	<li>Repeat PBS washing (steps 3.4 - 3.6) for two more times. 
	NOTE: It is essential to work gently during these washing steps. Blood in the catheter or failure of automatic out-flow of liquid usually indicates the urethra is pierced through. It is also important to avoid introducing air bubbles, as they will decrease the electroporation efficiency.</li>
</ol>
4. Plasmid Delivery
<ol>
	<li>Apply 70% ethanol to the mouse abdomen and use a scalpel to make a vertical incision of 1 cm to open the abdominal skin above the bladder.</li>
	<li>Pipette at least 20 &#181;L of plasmid plus Trypan Blue solution into the outer end of the catheter, and attach the syringe.</li>
	<li>Inject the plasmid solution into the bladder. If the bladder turns blue, the injection is successful. Leave some liquid in the catheter to avoid creating air bubbles in the bladder.</li>
	<li>Grab the external urethral orifice using tweezers, and then remove the catheter and syringe. Use a string to tighten the external urethral orifice. Make two loops with the string and then tie with two knots. 
	NOTE: Tightening of the urethral is important for preventing backflow of plasmid liquid.</li>
	<li>Turn on the electroporation generator with the following parameters: 33V, 50 ms working time, and 950 ms interval time.</li>
	<li>Hold the bladder with tweezers and pinch the bladder with two electrodes. Push the foot pedal to perform the electroporation. 
	NOTE: The electric pulses are set to occur 5 times with short intervals after each pedal push. The mouse may twitch in this process. Pushing the foot pedal more than once can increase the delivery efficiency, but too many electric pulses can damage the tissue integrity of the urothelium.
	<ol>
		<li>Avoid any contact between the tweezers and the electrodes, as this will generate a spark.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. Recovery
<ol>
	<li>Suture the abdominal and skin opening with sterile surgical suture and clips. Apply iodine onto the wound.</li>
	<li>Remove the animal from the isoflurane system. Administer buprenorphine analgesic (0.1 mg/kg) subcutaneously to alleviate post-surgical pain.</li>
	<li>Keep the animal on the heating pad and return it to the home cage after full recovery. Check the animal at least once daily for normal mobility, drinking and feeding behaviors and no signs of infection until the incision is healed and then remove the clips. Administer subsequent injections of buprenorphine analgesic if the animal displays pain symptom such as reduced grooming, increased aggressiveness, and vocalization.</li>
</ol>

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W., Chin, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-germline+genetically+engineered+mouse+models+for+translational+cancer+research.">Non-germline genetically engineered mouse models for translational cancer research.</a> Nat Rev Cancer. 10 (7), 470-480 (2010).</li><li>Maddalo, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+engineering+of+oncogenic+chromosomal+rearrangements+with+the+CRISPR/Cas9+system.">In vivo engineering of oncogenic chromosomal rearrangements with the CRISPR/Cas9 system.</a> Nature. 516 (7531), 423-427 (2014).</li><li>Xue, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CRISPR-mediated+direct+mutation+of+cancer+genes+in+the+mouse+liver.">CRISPR-mediated direct mutation of cancer genes in the mouse liver.</a> Nature. , (2014).</li><li>Sanchez-Rivera, F. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+modelling+of+cooperating+genetic+events+in+cancer+through+somatic+genome+editing.">Rapid modelling of cooperating genetic events in cancer through somatic genome editing.</a> Nature. 516 (7531), 428-431 (2014).</li><li>Romero, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Keap1+loss+promotes+Kras-driven+lung+cancer+and+results+in+dependence+on+glutaminolysis.">Keap1 loss promotes Kras-driven lung cancer and results in dependence on glutaminolysis.</a> Nat Med. 23 (11), 1362-1368 (2017).</li><li>Platt, R. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CRISPR-Cas9+knockin+mice+for+genome+editing+and+cancer+modeling.">CRISPR-Cas9 knockin mice for genome editing and cancer modeling.</a> Cell. 159 (2), 440-455 (2014).</li><li>Yin, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genome+editing+with+Cas9+in+adult+mice+corrects+a+disease+mutation+and+phenotype.">Genome editing with Cas9 in adult mice corrects a disease mutation and phenotype.</a> Nat Biotechnol. 32 (6), 551-553 (2014).</li><li>Yang, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+dual+AAV+system+enables+the+Cas9-mediated+correction+of+a+metabolic+liver+disease+in+newborn+mice.">A dual AAV system enables the Cas9-mediated correction of a metabolic liver disease in newborn mice.</a> Nat Biotechnol. 34 (3), 334-338 (2016).</li><li>Negrete, H. O., Lavelle, J. P., Berg, J., Lewis, S. A., Zeidel, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Permeability+properties+of+the+intact+mammalian+bladder+epithelium.">Permeability properties of the intact mammalian bladder epithelium.</a> Am J Physiol. 271 (4 Pt 2), F886-F894 (1996).</li><li>Lilly, J. D., Parsons, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bladder+surface+glycosaminoglycans+is+a+human+epithelial+permeability+barrier.">Bladder surface glycosaminoglycans is a human epithelial permeability barrier.</a> Surg Gynecol Obstet. 171 (6), 493-496 (1990).</li><li>Ramesh, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+pretreatment+agents+to+enhance+adenovirus+infection+of+bladder+epithelium.">Identification of pretreatment agents to enhance adenovirus infection of bladder epithelium.</a> Mol Ther. 10 (4), 697-705 (2004).</li><li>Yamashita, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Syn3+provides+high+levels+of+intravesical+adenoviral-mediated+gene+transfer+for+gene+therapy+of+genetically+altered+urothelium+and+superficial+bladder+cancer.">Syn3 provides high levels of intravesical adenoviral-mediated gene transfer for gene therapy of genetically altered urothelium and superficial bladder cancer.</a> Cancer Gene Ther. 9 (8), 687-691 (2002).</li><li>Engler, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ethanol+improves+adenovirus-mediated+gene+transfer+and+expression+to+the+bladder+epithelium+of+rodents.">Ethanol improves adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and expression to the bladder epithelium of rodents.</a> Urology. 53 (5), 1049-1053 (1999).</li><li>Matsuda, T., Cepko, C. 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L., Golberg, A., Sersa, G., Kotnik, T., Miklavcic, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electroporation-based+technologies+for+medicine:+principles,+applications,+and+challenges.">Electroporation-based technologies for medicine: principles, applications, and challenges.</a> Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 16, 295-320 (2014).</li><li>Saito, T., Nakatsuji, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+gene+transfer+into+the+embryonic+mouse+brain+using+in+vivo+electroporation.">Efficient gene transfer into the embryonic mouse brain using in vivo electroporation.</a> Dev Biol. 240 (1), 237-246 (2001).</li><li>Boutin, C., Diestel, S., Desoeuvre, A., Tiveron, M. C., Cremer, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+in+vivo+electroporation+of+the+postnatal+rodent+forebrain.">Efficient in vivo electroporation of the postnatal rodent forebrain.</a> PLoS One. 3 (4), e1883 (2008).</li><li>Saito, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+electroporation+in+the+embryonic+mouse+central+nervous+system.">In vivo electroporation in the embryonic mouse central nervous system.</a> Nat Protoc. 1 (3), 1552-1558 (2006).</li><li>Molotkov, D. A., Yukin, A. Y., Afzalov, R. A., Khiroug, L. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+delivery+to+postnatal+rat+brain+by+non-ventricular+plasmid+injection+and+electroporation.">Gene delivery to postnatal rat brain by non-ventricular plasmid injection and electroporation.</a> J Vis Exp. (43), (2010).</li><li>Walantus, W., Castaneda, D., Elias, L., Kriegstein, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+utero+intraventricular+injection+and+electroporation+of+E15+mouse+embryos.">In utero intraventricular injection and electroporation of E15 mouse embryos.</a> J Vis Exp. (6), e239 (2007).</li><li>Follenzi, A., Santambrogio, L., Annoni, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immune+responses+to+lentiviral+vectors.">Immune responses to lentiviral vectors.</a> Curr Gene Ther. 7 (5), 306-315 (2007).</li></ol>

The authors declare no competing interest.

Electroporation enhances the cell membrane permeability and is a powerful technology for gene electrotransfer16. Gene delivery into living rodents by electroporation has been frequently used in neurobiology fields17,18,19,20,21. Its potential applications in many other organs have not been extensively explored. To our knowledge, our met...

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) have been playing an essential role in expanding our knowledge about animal development, gene functions in vivo, and mechanisms of disease progression1,2. Germline GEMMs are traditionally developed in two ways. The first is the creation of transgenic mice by pronuclear injection of DNA plasmid followed by the transplantation of zygotes into pseudopregnant females. The other is the generation of knock-out/knock-in mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells and the development of chimeras. Conditional knockout of genes in specific tissue or cell type of interest involves the breeding of genetically engineered alleles with Cre and flox sites for multiple generations. The whole process can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if the goal is to target multiple genes tissue-specifically. Recently, gene-editing technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) have been applied to several organs of the mice to induce tissue-specific genetic alterations for autochthonous cancer modeling3,4,5,6,7 or correct disease mutations in situ8,9. In these studies, the delivery of the gRNA vectors was usually achieved through adenoviral or lentiviral infection of the organ or hydrodynamic tail-vein injection. The relative ease of delivery of the CRISPR components to the lung and liver has greatly improved the convenience and efficiency of cancer modeling in these organs compared to the traditional Cre-Lox based mouse models.
The bladder urothelium is where most bladder tumors originate. The delivery of DNA vectors to the bladder urothelium for cancer modeling or gene therapy is hampered by a glycosaminoglycan layer on the apical urothelial surface, which acts as a barrier for adherence of infectious viruses10,11. Several pretreatment agents such as Syn3 and dodecyl-&#946;-d-maltoside have been used to disrupt this barrier and enhance adenovirus infection efficiency12,13,14. Whether adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) can effectively infect the bladder has not been reported. Overall, a non-viral based delivery method would be desirable. Here, we describe a novel method developed in the lab for efficient DNA plasmid delivery to the mouse urothelium through urethra catheterization and electroporation. Because our approach does not involve chemical pretreatment of the glycosaminoglycan layer or virus production, it significantly simplifies the delivery of DNA plasmids into the mouse bladder urothelium, and should facilitate various in vivo studies of bladder diseases.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>BD 1mL TB Syringe</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>148232E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buprenorphine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>B9275-50MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont Tweezers</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instr</td>
			<td>RS-5005</td>
			<td>Treat with 70% ethanol before surgical use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ECM830 SQ Wave Electroporator</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>450052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Exel International Disposable Safelet I.V. Catheters</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-841-21</td>
			<td>24G, 2.11 cm length, 0.045 cm outer diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extra Fine Micro Dissecting Scissors</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instr</td>
			<td>RS-5135</td>
			<td>Treat with 70% ethanol before surgical use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Vet one</td>
			<td>501017</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>K&#38;H Heated Resting Mat for Small Animals, 9 By 12 Inches</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Cover the heat mat with paper towels</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ophthalmic ointment</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>NC0849514</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS, pH7.4</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10010049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipet tips 200 &#181;L</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>1111-0206</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipet Tips, Universal Fit; 0.1 to 10 &#181;L</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>02707438(CS)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PIPETMAN NEO P2</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F144561</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PIPETMAN NEO P200N</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F144565</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>plasmid CAG-GFP</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>16664</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Platinum tweezertrode 5 mm</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>450489</td>
			<td>5 mm diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instr</td>
			<td>RS-5880</td>
			<td>Treat with 70% ethanol before surgical use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>String cord</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Mandala Crafts 150D 210D 0.8mm 1mm leather sewing stitching flat waxed thread string cord</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tape, Scotch</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>19047257</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Therio-gel Veterinary Lubricant</td>
			<td>PBS animal health</td>
			<td>353-736</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypan Blue Stain</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15250061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>V-1 Table top system anesthesia</td>
			<td>VetEquip</td>
			<td>901806</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vicryl violet suture 18&#34; FS-2 cutting 5-0</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>NC0578475</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Walgreens Povidone Iodine 10%</td>
			<td>Walgreens</td>
			<td>953982</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wound clip</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>018045</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wound clip applier</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>01804</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

novel method of plasmid dna delivery to mouse bladder urothelium by electroporation

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) are extremely valuable in revealing novel biological insights into the initiation and progression mechanisms of human diseases such as cancer. Transgenic and conditional knockout mice have been frequently used for gene overexpression or ablation in specific tissues or cell types in vivo. However, generating germline mouse models can be time-consuming and costly. Recent advancements in gene editing technologies and the feasibility of delivering DNA plasmids by viral infection have enabled rapid generation of non-germline autochthonous mouse cancer models for several organs. The bladder is an organ that has been difficult for viral vectors to access, due to the presence of a glycosaminoglycan layer covering the urothelium. Here, we describe a novel method developed in lab for efficient delivery of DNA plasmids into the mouse bladder urothelium in vivo. Through intravesical instillation of pCAG-GFP DNA plasmid and electroporation of surgically exposed bladder, we show that the DNA plasmid can be delivered specifically into the bladder urothelial cells for transient expression. Our method provides a fast and convenient way for overexpression and knockdown of genes in the mouse bladder, and can be applied to building GEMMs of bladder cancer and other urological diseases.

To demonstrate the success of gene delivery into the bladder urothelium, we used the pCAG-GFP15 plasmid for electroporation. 20 &#181;L of plasmid and Trypan Blue solution was injected through the urethra and 5 electric pulses were administered. After 48 h, we dissected the mouse bladder and observed patches of GFP fluorescence under a dissection fluorescence microscope, whereas a negative control bladder that did not undergo electroporation showed no GFP signal (<...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Novel Method of Plasmid DNA Delivery to Mouse Bladder Urothelium by Electroporation at JoVE.com

Novel Method of Plasmid DNA Delivery to Mouse Bladder Urothelium by Electroporation

We describe a novel method for the delivery of DNA plasmid into the urothelial cells of mouse bladder in vivo through urethra catheterization and electroporation. It offers a fast and convenient way for generating autochthonous mouse models of bladder diseases.

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) are extremely valuable in revealing novel biological insights into the initiation and progression mechanisms ...

novel-method-plasmid-dna-delivery-to-mouse-bladder-urothelium

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8.4K Views.  University of California, Santa Cruz. We describe a novel method for the delivery of DNA plasmid into the urothelial cells of mouse bladder in vivo through urethra catheterization and electroporation. It offers a fast and convenient way for generating autochthonous mouse models of bladder diseases.

Video: Novel Method of Plasmid DNA Delivery to Mouse Bladder Urothelium by Electroporation

Purifying Plasmid DNA from Bacterial Colonies Using the Qiagen Miniprep Kit

Plasmid DNA purification from E. coli is a core technique for molecular cloning. Small scale purification (miniprep) from less than 5 ml of bacterial culture is a quick way for clone verification or DNA isolation, followed by further enzymatic reactions (polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion). Here, we video-recorded the general procedures of miniprep through the QIAGEN's QIAprep 8 Miniprep Kit, aiming to introducing this highly efficient technique to the general beginners for molecular biology techniques. The whole procedure is based on alkaline lysis of E. coli cells followed by adsorption of DNA onto silica in the presence of high salt. It consists of three steps: 1) preparation and clearing of a bacterial lysate, 2) adsorption of DNA onto the QIAprep membrane, 3) washing and elution of plasmid DNA. All steps are performed without the use of phenol, chloroform, CsCl, ethidium bromide, and without alcohol precipitation. It usually takes less than 2 hours to finish the entire procedure.

Plasmid DNA purification from E. coli is a core technique for molecular cloning. Small scale purification (miniprep) from less than 5 ml of bacterial ...

Transformation of Plasmid DNA into E. coli Using the Heat Shock Method

Transformation of plasmid DNA into E. coli using the heat shock method is a basic technique of molecular biology. It consists of inserting a foreign plasmid or ligation product into bacteria. This video protocol describes the traditional method of transformation using commercially available chemically competent bacteria from Genlantis. After a short incubation in ice, a mixture of chemically competent bacteria and DNA is placed at 42&deg;C for 45 seconds (heat shock) and then placed back in ice. SOC media is added and the transformed cells are incubated at 37&deg;C for 30 min with agitation. To be assured of isolating colonies irrespective of transformation efficiency, two quantities of transformed bacteria are plated. This traditional protocol can be used successfully to transform most commercially available competent bacteria. The turbocells from Genlantis can also be used in a novel 3-minute transformation protocol, described in the instruction manual.

Transformation of plasmid DNA into E. coli using the heat shock method is a basic technique of molecular biology. It consists of inserting a foreign ...

DNA Transfection of Mammalian Skeletal Muscles using In Vivo Electroporation

A growing interest in cell biology is to express transgenically modified forms of essential proteins (e.g. fluorescently tagged constructs and/or mutant variants) in order to investigate their endogenous distribution and functional relevance. An interesting approach that has been implemented to fulfill this objective in fully differentiated cells is the in vivo transfection of plasmids by various methods into specific tissues such as liver1, skeletal muscle2,3, and even the brain4. We present here a detailed description of the steps that must be followed in order to efficiently transfect genetic material into fibers of the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and interosseus (IO) muscles of adult mice using an in vivo electroporation approach. The experimental parameters have been optimized so as to maximize the number of muscle fibers transfected while minimizing tissue damages that may impair the quality and quantity of the proteins expressed in individual fibers. We have verified that the implementation of the methodology described in this paper results in a high yield of soluble proteins, i.e. EGFP and ECFP3, calpain, FKBP12, &beta;2a-DHPR, etc. ; structural proteins, i.e. minidystrophin and &alpha;-actinin; and membrane proteins, i.e. &alpha;1s-DHPR, RyR1, cardiac Na/Ca2+ exchanger , NaV1.4 Na channel, SERCA1, etc., when applied to FDB, IO and other muscles of mice and rats. The efficient expression of some of these proteins has been verified with biochemical3 and functional evidence5. However, by far the most common confirmatory approach used by us are standard fluorescent microscopy and 2-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM), which permit to identify not only the overall expression, but also the detailed intracellular localization, of fluorescently tagged protein constructs. The method could be equally used to transfect plasmids encoding for the expression of proteins of physiological relevance (as shown here), or for interference RNA (siRNA) aiming to suppress the expression of normally expressed proteins (not tested by us yet). It should be noted that the transfection of FDB and IO muscle fibers is particularly relevant for the investigation of mammalian muscle physiology since fibers enzymatically dissociated from these muscles are currently one of the most suitable models to investigate basic mechanisms of excitability and excitation-contraction coupling under current or voltage clamp conditions2,6-8.

DNA Transfection of Mammalian Skeletal Muscles using In Vivo Electroporation

We describe detailed procedures for the efficient transfection of plasmid DNA into the fibers of foot muscles of live mice using electroporation and the subsequent visualization of protein expression using fluorescence microscopy.

 A growing interest in cell biology is to express transgenically modified forms of essential proteins (e.g. fluorescently tagged constructs and/or mutant ...

Primary Culture and Plasmid Electroporation of the Murine Organ of Corti. 

In all mammals, the sensory epithelium for audition is located along the spiraling organ of Corti that resides within the conch shaped cochlea of the inner ear (fig 1). Hair cells in the developing cochlea, which are the mechanosensory cells of the auditory system, are aligned in one row of inner hair cells and three (in the base and mid-turns) to four (in the apical turn) rows of outer hair cells that span the length of the organ of Corti. Hair cells transduce sound-induced mechanical vibrations of the basilar membrane into neural impulses that the brain can interpret. Most cases of sensorineural hearing loss are caused by death or dysfunction of cochlear hair cells.
An increasingly essential tool in auditory research is the isolation and in vitro culture of the organ explant 1,2,9. Once isolated, the explants may be utilized in several ways to provide information regarding normative, anomalous, or therapeutic physiology. Gene expression, stereocilia motility, cell and molecular biology, as well as biological approaches for hair cell regeneration are examples of experimental applications of organ of Corti explants.
This protocol describes a method for the isolation and culture of the organ of Corti from neonatal mice. The accompanying video includes stepwise directions for the isolation of the temporal bone from mouse pups, and subsequent isolation of the cochlea, spiral ligament, and organ of Corti. Once isolated, the sensory epithelium can be plated and cultured in vitro in its entirety, or as a further dissected micro-isolate that lacks the spiral limbus and spiral ganglion neurons. Using this method, primary explants can be maintained for 7-10 days. As an example of the utility of this procedure, organ of Corti explants will be electroporated with an exogenous DsRed reporter gene. This method provides an improvement over other published methods because it provides reproducible, unambiguous, and stepwise directions for the isolation, microdissection, and primary culture of the organ of Corti.

Primary Culture and Plasmid Electroporation of the Murine Organ of Corti.

This procedure describes a method for the isolation and culture of the murine organ of Corti with or without the spiral limbus and spiral ganglion neurons. We also demonstrate a method for the expression of an exogenous reporter gene in the organ of Corti explant by electroporation.

In all mammals, the sensory epithelium for audition is located along the spiraling organ of Corti that resides within the conch shaped cochlea of the ...

Streamlined Purification of Plasmid DNA From Prokaryotic Cultures

We describe the complete process of AcroPrep Advance Filter Plates for 96 plasmid preparations, starting from prokaryotic culture and ending with high purity DNA. Based on multi-well filtration for bacterial lysate clearance and DNA purification, this method creates a streamlined process for plasmid preparation. Filter plates containing silica-based media can easily be processed by vacuum filtration or centrifuge to yield appreciable quantities of plasmid DNA. Quantitative analyses determine the purified plasmid DNA is consistently of high quality with average OD260/280 ratios of 1.97. Overall, plasmid yields offer more pure DNA for downstream applications, such as sequencing and cloning. This streamlined method of using AcroPrep Advance Filter Plates allows for manual, semi-automated or fully-automated processing.

This protocol is a cost effective alternative for efficient parallel clarification and plasmid DNA purification from E. coli cultures. The AcroPrep Advance process starts with an optimized lysate clarification filter plate followed by purification on a high binding capacity DNA binding filter plate.

We describe the complete process of AcroPrep Advance Filter Plates for 96 plasmid preparations, starting from prokaryotic culture and ending with high ...

Direct Delivery of MIF Morpholinos Into the Zebrafish Otocyst by Injection and Electroporation Affects Inner Ear Development

In recent years, electroporation has become a popular technique for in vivo transfection of DNA, RNA, and morpholinos into various tissues, including the eye, brain, and somites of zebrafish. The advantage of electroporation over other methods of genetic manipulation is that specific tissues can be targeted, both spatially and temporally, for the introduction of macromolecules by the application of electrical current. Here we describe the use of electroporation for transfecting mif and mif-like morpholinos into the tissues of the developing inner ear of the zebrafish. In past studies, mif morpholino injected into embryos at the 1- to 8-cell stage resulted in widespread morphological changes in the nervous system and eye, as well as the ear. By targeting the tissues of the inner ear at later stages in development, we can determine the primary effects of MIF in the developing inner ear, as opposed to secondary effects that may result from the influence of other tissues. By using phalloidin and acetylated tubulin staining to study the morphology of neurons, neuronal processes, and hair cells associated with the posterior macula, we were able to assess the efficacy of electroporation as a method for targeted transfection in the zebrafish inner ear. The otic vesicles of 24hpf embryos were injected with morpholinos and electroporated and were then compared to embryos that had received no treatment or had been only injected or electroporated. Embryos that were injected and electroporated showed a decrease in hair cell numbers, decreased innervation by the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) and fewer SAG neurons compared with control groups. Our results showed that direct delivery of morpholinos into otocysts at later stages avoids the non-specific nervous system and neural crest effects of morpholinos delivered at the 1-8 cell stage. It also allows examination of effects that are directed to the inner ear and not secondary effects on the ear from primary effects on the brain, neural crest or periotic mesenchyme.

A method to deliver morpholinos directly into the zebrafish otocyst at 24hpf has been developed. Using microinjection of morpholinos into the lumen of otic vesicle and electroporation to effect penetration, we were able to bypass the effect of morpholinos on the brain and obtain effects specific to the inner ear.

In recent years, electroporation has become a popular technique for in vivo transfection of DNA, RNA, and morpholinos into various tissues, including the ...

A Practical and Novel Method to Extract Genomic DNA from Blood Collection Kits for Plasma Protein Preservation

Laboratory tests can be done on the cellular or fluid portions of the blood. The use of different blood collection tubes determines the portion of the blood that can be analyzed (whole blood, plasma or serum). Laboratories involved in studying the genetic basis of human disorders rely on anticoagulated whole blood collected in EDTA-containing vacutainer as the source of DNA for genetic / genomic analysis. Because most clinical laboratories perform biochemical, serologic and viral testing as a first step in phenotypic outcome investigation, anticoagulated blood is also collected in heparin-containing tube (plasma tube). Therefore when DNA and plasma are needed for simultaneous and parallel analyses of both genomic and proteomic data, it is customary to collect blood in both EDTA and heparin tubes. If blood could be collected in a single tube and serve as a source for both plasma and DNA, that method would be considered an advancement to existing methods. The use of the compacted blood after plasma extraction represents an alternative source for genomic DNA, thus minimizing the amount of blood samples processed and reducing the number of samples required from each patient. This would ultimately save time and resources.
The BD P100 blood collection system for plasma protein preservation were created as an improved method over previous plasma or serum collection tubes1, to stabilize the protein content of blood, enabling better protein biomarker discovery and proteomics experimentation from human blood. The BD P100 tubes contain 15.8 ml of spray-dried K2EDTA and a lyophilized proprietary broad spectrum cocktail of protease inhibitors to prevent coagulation and stabilize the plasma proteins. They also include a mechanical separator, which provides a physical barrier between plasma and cell pellets after centrifugation. Few methods have been devised to extract DNA from clotted blood samples collected in old plasma tubes2-4. Challenges from these methods were mainly associated with the type of separator inside the tubes (gel separator) and included difficulty in recovering the clotted blood, the inconvenience of fragmenting or dispersing the clot, and obstruction of the clot extraction by the separation gel.
We present the first method that extracts and purifies genomic DNA from blood drawn in the new BD P100 tubes. We compare the quality of the DNA sample from P100 tubes to that from EDTA tubes. Our approach is simple and efficient. It involves four major steps as follows: 1) the use of a plasma BD P100 (BD Diagnostics, Sparks, MD, USA) tube with mechanical separator for blood collection, 2) the removal of the mechanical separator using a combination of sucrose and a sterile paperclip metallic hook, 3) the separation of the buffy coat layer containing the white cells and 4) the isolation of the genomic DNA from the buffy coat using a regular commercial DNA extraction kit or a similar standard protocol.

We are describing a new method of isolating genomic DNA from whole blood collected for plasma/serology. After plasma collection, the compacted blood is usually discarded. Our novel method represents a significant improvement over existing methods and makes DNA and plasma available from a single collection, without requesting additional blood.

Laboratory tests can be done on the cellular or  fluid portions of the blood. The use of different blood collection tubes  determines the portion of the ...

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to isolate and culture individual organs of interest are essential to provide a method of both visualizing changes in development and allowing novel treatment strategies. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel. This substrate provides enough support to maintain the three-dimensional structure but is flexible enough to allow continued contraction. In brief, hearts are excised from the embryo and placed in a mixture of cold Matrigel diluted 1:1 with growth medium. After the diluted Matrigel solidifies, growth medium is added to the culture dish. Hearts excised as late as embryonic day 16.5 were viable for four days post-dissection. Analysis of the coronary plexus shows that this method does not disrupt coronary vascular development. Thus, we present a novel method for long-term culture of embryonic hearts.

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel.

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered  by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to  isolate and culture individual ...

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the turnover of all mature blood cell lineages. The coordination of the complex signals leading to specific HSC fates relies upon the interaction between HSCs and the intricate bone marrow microenvironment, which is still poorly understood[1-2].
We describe how by combining a newly developed specimen holder for stable animal positioning with multi-step confocal and two-photon in vivo imaging techniques, it is possible to obtain high-resolution 3D stacks containing HSPCs and their surrounding niches and to monitor them over time through multi-point time-lapse imaging. High definition imaging allows detecting ex vivo labeled hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) residing within the bone marrow. Moreover, multi-point time-lapse 3D imaging, obtained with faster acquisition settings, provides accurate information about HSPC movement and the reciprocal interactions between HSPCs and stroma cells.
Tracking of HSPCs in relation to GFP positive osteoblastic cells is shown as an exemplary application of this method. This technique can be utilized to track any appropriately labeled hematopoietic or stromal cell of interest within the mouse calvarium bone marrow space.

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

The nature of the interactions between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow niches is poorly understood. Custom hardware modifications and a multi-step acquisition protocol allow the use of two-photon and confocal microscopy to image ex vivo labeled HSPCs homed within bone marrow areas, tracking interactions and movement.

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ...

Plasmid-derived DNA Strand Displacement Gates for Implementing Chemical Reaction Networks

DNA nanotechnology requires large amounts of highly pure DNA as an engineering material. Plasmid DNA could meet this need since it is replicated with high fidelity, is readily amplified through bacterial culture and can be stored indefinitely in the form of bacterial glycerol stocks. However, the double-stranded nature of plasmid DNA has so far hindered its efficient use for construction of DNA nanostructures or devices that typically contain single-stranded or branched domains. In recent work, it was found that nicked double stranded DNA (ndsDNA) strand displacement gates could be sourced from plasmid DNA. The following is a protocol that details how these ndsDNA gates can be efficiently encoded in plasmids and can be derived from the plasmids through a small number of enzymatic processing steps. Also given is a protocol for testing ndsDNA gates using fluorescence kinetics measurements. NdsDNA gates can be used to implement arbitrary chemical reaction networks (CRNs) and thus provide a pathway towards the use of the CRN formalism as a prescriptive molecular programming language. To demonstrate this technology, a multi-step reaction cascade with catalytic kinetics is constructed. Further it is shown that plasmid-derived components perform better than identical components assembled from synthetic DNA.

This protocol describes a method for deriving DNA strand displacement gates from plasmids and testing them using fluorescence kinetics measurements. Gates can be modularly composed into multi-component systems to approximate the behavior of formal chemical reaction networks (CRN), demonstrating a new use for CRNs as a molecular programming language.

DNA nanotechnology requires large amounts of highly pure DNA as an engineering material. Plasmid DNA could meet this need since it is replicated with high ...