Cell Labeling and Gene Misexpression by Electroporation

Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the identification of several genes expressed at key stages of neural development. In order to evaluate gene function, scientists have typically used transgenic model systems or retroviral gene delivery systems. However, these methods are not always amenable to all experimental paradigms. Therefore, scientists have looked to develop alternative, non-viral methods of gene transfer that allow a wider range of approaches to study gene function, regulation, and expression (1 ). Recently, scientists have developed the technique of in vivo electroporation to misexpress genes in chick (2 –13 ) and, to a limited extent, in mouse (2 ,14 ,15 ) embryos. Electroporation is an extremely effective method of targeting cells for gene misexpression, and can also be used to label a subset of cells within the neuroepithelium with a marker gene such as GFP.