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September 03, 2020
Designed to simplify intracellular injection and a variety of other microinjection tasks, WPI’s PicoPumps (PV830 and PV820) use precisely regulated pressures for securing cells and injecting them with fluid. Injected volumes range from picoliters to nanoliters. Separate ports supply positive and negative pressure—positive pressure for high-pressure ejection, and suction for supporting the cell or for filling the pipette from the tip. In this quick series, you can see how to setup a PicoPump.
1. What's Included with a PV Pump
In this first video (#1) you can see all the components of the system as they unpack the system.
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January 29, 2021
The system depicted includes components often favored by researchers:
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May 02, 2013
Microinjection uses either a metal needle or a glass micropipette to inject small liquid volumes. For example, genetic material may be inserted into a living cell, a drug introduced into an eye or brain, or fluid injected into a muscle. Typically, microinjection is performed under a microscope. A stereotaxic setup may be required. WPI offers a variety of pumps along with special syringes, stereotaxic frames, glass capillaries and needles. Here we will highlight our microinjection pumps. The setup you choose depends on the size of injection aliquots, the volume to be injected and the size of needle or glass tip chosen. The products described below are listed in order by the smallest volume they can inject. See the comparison chart below or the related post links at the bottom.
Pressure Injectors
WPI's new generation of pressure microinjectors are quickly replacing the very popular legacy line of pnuematic valve...more
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January 24, 2020
Microinjection is the process of transferring genetic materials into a living cell using glass micropipettes or metal microinjection needles. Glass micropipettes can be of various sizes with tip diameters ranging from 0.1 to 10 µm. DNA or RNA is injected directly into the cell’s nucleus. Microinjection has been successfully used with large frog eggs, mammalian cells, mammalian embryos, plants and tissues. Microinjection has been expensive, can be a slow process and requires skilled personnel, but new technologies are making it even more reliable, repeatable and affordable.
Pronuclear injection, inserting DNA or RNA into the nucleus of a fertilized oocyte to create transgenic organisms, lets researchers study the role of particular genes. This horizontal gene transfer can insert genetic material from the same species or a different one. When using genetic material from different species, a chimera is created. If the genetic material is NOT integrated into the genome of the offspring, it is considered transient transformation and is not passed to subsequent generations. However, if the new genetic material is transferred to future generations, then we have a stable transformation. In this case, the gene inserted by microinjection is called as the transgene, and the organism that develops after a successful gene transfer is called as transgenic.
So, transgenic animals are the results of experimentation that integrates genetic material (DNA) into their germ line. These transgenic animals are invaluable in the quest to identify the functions of specific factors in homeostatic systems through the over-expression or under-expression of a modified gene. In many cases transgenic animals are dependent on the laboratory environment for survival.
Microinjection is a highly reproducible and repeatable method of introducing genetic material into a nucleus. (Qingsong Xu. Micromachines for Biological Micromanipulation. Springer Publication, 2018.) Compared with other methods of genetic manipulation, microinjection optimized the materials used and eliminates a lot of waste. (Chow YT, Chen S, Wang R, et al. Single Cell Transfection through Precise Microinjection with Quantitatively Controlled Injection Volumes. Sci Rep. 2016;6:24127. Published 2016 Apr 12. doi:10.1038/srep24127.) Because the materials used are minimized, there is also a reduction in the cost of the materials needed. With the tight control of the microinjection process, the researcher can obtain the precise integration of the recombinant gene in a limited number of copies.
Products for Efficient Microinjection
WPI offers a broad range of laboratory equipment used for microinjection applications. Our injection systems have been serving scientist for over 30 years. Additionally, WPI offers a variety of accessories for microinjection including pumps, pullers, pipetters, microscopes and more. One of the most popular pumps for zebrafish and adherent cell microinjection is the PV820 Pneumatic PicoPump and its newer cousins the MICRO-ePUMP, the μPUMP and the PV850.
Injection Pumps
Originally, the PV820 and PV830, Pneumatic PicoPumps, were designed to simplify intracellular injection. The microinjection offering was redesigned in 2020 from the ground up to offer ease of use, ensure repeatable operations and cover a broader range of applications. You get touch screen control, footswitch operation and a unit that takes up precious little bench space. Researchers get repeatable microinjections in volumes ranging from picoliters to nanoliters. Our microinjectors offer eject and hold pressure. To guard against injectant dilution, the hold pressure prevents backfilling of the pipette via capillary action, keeping the injectant meniscus at the pipette tip. WPI also has popular pumps for injecting in the picoliter and nanoliter ranges.
Pinpoint Cell Penetrator
The WPI MICRO-ePORE™ pinpoint cell penetrator is a simple and versatile system that can be used for efficient microinjection of a diverse array of compounds and biomolecules into oocytes and pre-implantation stage mammalian embryos. Patent pending Flutter Electrode Technology assists in small, clean, precise membrane penetration without tearing or damaging the membrane when one is working on the microinjection of transgenic animals or cell manipulation. WPI's MICRO-ePORE™ Pinpoint Cell Penetrator offers several advantages over traditional electroporation for the purpose of microinjection.
- The pinpoint cell penetrator uses a much lower voltage to open a port into the cell membrane.
- Electroporation is a shotgun approach that opens many pores in the cell membrane. In contrast, the pinpoint cell penetrator targets a specific area of the cell membrane at the very point of microinjection.
- Survivability of embryos is significantly higher when using pinpoint cell penetration versus electroporation.
Microscope
WPI's PZMIII-MI Microscope with Illuminated Base and Articulating Mirror is perfect for microinjection and transfection. It includes a standard stereo microscope head mounted on a research grade Brightfield/Darkfield pole type stand. It has a large stable work surface and a rotatable lens/mirror system which provides transmitted LED intensity illumination. The sliding mirror is gimbaled, allowing for a full range of movement front to back, as well as rotation. The mirror rotates 360º on one axis and can slide for further lighting effect directionally, front to back. A knob on the right of the base adjusts the mirror and a locking ring holds the desired mirror position. Vary the microscope illumination from Brightfield LED to Darkfield LED at an appropriate angle using the articulating mirror. It is an effective tool for viewing live bacteria. At low magnifications, view tissues, cells or embryo transfer where oblique, transmitted illumination is critical.
Microinjection is a revolutionary tool in the age of modern science. These methods allow any lab to incorporate the technique of microinjection into their experimental repertoire.
Whether DNA, RNA or protein is the molecule of interest, microinjection provides a means of studying function within the context of the living cell. The technology is remarkably accessible and relatively inexpensive, while the possibilities are virtually endless. -
June 16, 2022
WPI carries a wide variety of fluid handling tools utilizing different technologies: - Microinjectors
- Peristaltic pumps
- Syringe pumps
- Pneumatic injectors
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June 25, 2014
Chiara Cianciolo Cosentino, at the University of Pittsburgh, describes how she uses intravenous microinjections of zebrafish larvae to study acute kidney injury in this JoVE video. You can also watch this video on JoVE. WPI equipment shown in this video includes:
- MMP Manual Microsyringe Pump
- PV820 Pneumatic PicoPump
- M3301 Manual Micromanipulator
- M10 Magnetic Stand
- 5052 Steel Base Plate
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August 23, 2013
Researchers at the University of Michigan are using WPI's PV820 for injecting a morpholino solution into the lumen of the otic vesicle of 1-day old zebrafish embryos. Then, they use electroporation to introduce mif and mif-like morpholinos into the developing inner ear tissues.
Check out the ...more
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June 30, 2023
In any laboratory, having key lab supplies is almost as important as having the major equipment. Choosing a reputable supplier of these necessary supplies is as important as having quality laboratory supplies when you need them. WPI wants to be your partner in early drug discovery, and we stock a wide variety of lab supplies, many of which can ship the same business day. Having a variety of lab supplies ready to ship makes us a dependable research partner. Here are some of the popular supplies that we keep on hand to meet your needs for your upcoming experiment...more
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September 08, 2020
[by Gabe Gonzalez]
The PV850 Injector is designed to simplify intracellular injection and a variety of other microinjection tasks. The PV850 uses regulated air pressure for injecting cells with fluid. Injected volumes range from picoliters to nanoliters. The port supplies positive pressure for high-pressure ejection maximum of 87 PSI. The PV850 Microinjector offers separate regulated compensation (back filling prevention) and ejection pressures with a precision timing circuit that switches from injection pressure to compensation pressure automatically. Timing, injection pressure and compensation pressure are adjusted independently using the intuitive touch-screen user interface. Time intervals can range from 2 seconds down to 10 ms or less, depending on the injection pressure setting...more
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October 04, 2015
The type of pump you choose for your fluid handling will largely depend on your laboratory application. In this article, we will compare the popular pump types.
Microinjectors
WPI Microinjectors use carefully regulated air pressure for injecting cells with fluid. Injected volumes range from picoliters to nanoliters. The port supplies positive pressure for high-pressure ejection. The pressure port maintains a low positive “compensation” pressure to the injecting pipette between injection pulses to prevent fluid uptake through...more
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June 12, 2015
First, let's consider volumes. - A milliliter (mL) is one thousandth the volume of a liter (L) or 10-3L
- A microliter (µL) is one thousandth the volume of a mL (10-6L)
- A nanoliter (nL) is one thousandth the volume of a µL (10-9L)
- A picoliter (pL) is one thousandth the volume of a nL (10-12L)
This is graphically represented at the right. Notice that the mL is one trillion times larger than the picoliter. The table (right) shows that the side of a cube with a volume of 1mL is 1cm long. Likewise, the side of a cube with a volume of 1pL is 10µm long. Just for comparison, it shows that the diameter of a sphere with a volume of 1mL is 1.24cm, and the volume of a sphere with a volume of 1pL is 12.4µm.
With these volume comparisons in mind, lets consider some of the available options for microinjection pumps.
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April 25, 2013
WPI’s microelectrode holder-half-cells couple fluid-filled glass micropipettes to high input impedance amplifiers. A Ag/AgCl pellet (or a silver wire) molded into the holder body provides stable potential. Electrical connection is made via male 2mm pins or female 2mm sockets. The pipette may be mounted axially or at right angles to the holder. Pipettes are held with screw-caps or rubber gaskets (without caps). Filling WPI microelectrode holders with electrolytes containing chloride results in stable electrode potential. Suitable electrolytes include KCl, NaCl andCaCl2. Holders are supplied for standard WPI single capillary tubing of 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0mm outside diameters. (Call WPI regarding custom designs for other glass diameters.) The holder style you select will depend on your experimental application, space, and instrumentation.
Hints for selecting and ordering micropipette holders
- Determine the required electrical connection on the holder. For...more