Interview with Dr Lars Wittler

Do you want to take the next step in your CRISPR-CAS9 projects, making the injection of biomolecules in your cell lines more efficient? You can now increase the viability of injected embryos with WPI’s MICRO-ePORE, which offers improved repeatability and functionality for pinpoint cell penetration for targeted microinjections in transgenesis.

 

Improve Embryo Survival with Pinpoint Cell Penetration

 

Principle of MICRO-ePORE™ Technology

  • Classic Microinjection of biomolecules with capillaries causes permanent damage to the cell membrane, and the chance of lysis is high.
  • Electroporation is a shot-gun, random approach that cause lots of membrane holes in cells, also increasing the chance of lysis.
  • The MICRO-ePORE uses a very localized rearrangement of the charged double lipid membrane, allowing the biomolecules solution to get into the cells during injection. This leaves the rest of the membrane intact, reducing lysis and improving cell survival.

 

MICRO-ePORE in the Field

The MICRO-ePORE helps Dr. Pawel Pelczar, the head of CMT at Basel University, to meet the high demand for specified stable manipulated mouse and rat lines. 

 

Testing the MICRO-ePORE Efficiency

Dr. Lars Wittler investigated the efficiency increase using the MICRO-ePORE on his 2-cell embryos.  Dr. Wittler said, “It's an improvement of roughly 10% more efficient. With even 5% more efficient, in the end, you save animals, and therefore I would always recommend you use it (MICRO-ePORE).“

  • Advantages of Using the MICRO-ePORE
  • The MICRO-ePORE delivers flexibility for integration into existing applications and model organisms.
  • It integrates with WPI’s PV series injectors, and other manufacturer’s microinjectors.
  • Its easy, hands-free operation with foot switch control improves throughput, and the small, portable unit saves precious benchtop space.
  • And you can maximize bench space using the MICRO-ePUMP injector with integrated MICRO-ePORE and control both components with a single foot switch.

Dr. Wittler said, “What I hear from my colleagues is that the injection itself really is smoother and easier, and therefore I think this setup with the MICRO-ePORE is an improvement, and it is a good supplement to a microinjection setup.”

MICRO-ePORE and MICRO-ePUMP (microinjection pump with integrated MICRO-ePORE functionality) improve the viability of your embryos, reducing the total volume of needed transgenic embryos.