Electromechanical Microinjection of Pink Bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella Embryos Increases Survival. (March 1997)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peloquin, John J.; Thibault, Stephen T.; Schouest, Leo P.; Miller, Thomas A.
• Is Part Of: Biotechniques. Volume 22:Number 3(1997)
• Page Start: 496
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 1997-03
• Subjects: Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental; Medical technology; Molecular biology; Clinical Laboratory Techniques -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Medical Laboratory Science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 570
• DOI: 10.2144/97223st04
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-6205

Abstract

We report and compare methods and apparatus for injection of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), embryos. Injection with an electromechanical device resulted in 59% survival of embryos. Previous techniques relying on a mechanical manipulator resulted in 8% survival. Pink bollworm (PBW) embryo injection technology is based in part on methods developed for injection and genetic transformation of Caenorhabditis elegans ([Maupas] Dougherty) and Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) with substantial alterations in both method and apparatus to accommodate special conditions of PBW biology, behavior and morphology. The microinjection methodology described here has direct application to other difficult-to-inject insects and invertebrates.