In touch with life - Eppendorf

Microinjection and manipulation of cells
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Microinjection overview
For more than 30 years now, researchers have been introducing
foreign molecules, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, toxins and
dyes, into living cells using a technique called microinjection.
This technique offers many advantages, including the targeting
of individual cells and/or subcellular structures as well as the
ability to reproducibly inject a defined amount of solution into
these targets. Applications include transfection and analysis
experiments, signal transduction, cytotoxicity tests and more.
In addition to an ultra-precise microinjection device, accurate
and reproducible microinjection also requires ultra-fine glass
capillaries—they allow the targeting of very specific cell areas,
such as the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
For optimal efficiency and viability, microinjection systems
(consisting of microinjectors, micromanpulators and capillaries)
must be accurate and precise, perform fast yet smooth
movement with gentle yet effective penetration, have a userfriendly
interface and a large operating range and, finally, be
solidly constructed for complete reliability.
Eppendorf ® Cell Technology systems have always met these
requirements—in fact, we continually set new standards for
performance, efficiency, reproducibility and reliability: For
example, the FemtoJet ® and FemtoJet express microinjectors
feature a broad range of pressure settings for precise and
accurate microinjection with solutions as small as femtoliters
(10 -9 µL) on up to 1 µL and above.
FemtoJet
For injecting small to intermediate volumes (up to 100 pL),
the original FemtoJet is perfectly suited, featuring a wide range
of functionality, simple operation and built-in compressor to
independently deliver the required pressure. It is ideal for
injecting aqueous solutions into adherent cells (and makes the
ideal partner with our InjectMan ® NI 2 and 5179, as well as
Model 5171) and suspension cells (with TransferMan ® NK 2).
The FemtoJet forms the perfect system with Eppendorf
micromanipulators, and it integrates just as easily with
non-Eppendorf microinjection systems.
Applications: FemtoJet
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Semiautomatic injection into adherent cells with
InjectMan NI 2 (and older models 5171 and InjectMan 5179)
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Suspension cell injection with TransferMan NK 2
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Pronuclear injections into mouse embryos
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Serial injection volumes from femtoliter up to 100 pL
FemtoJet express
If your research demands injecting volumes greater than 100 pL
and/or longer series at higher pressures—increasingly seen in
functional genomics and developmental biology applications—
the FemtoJet express with its external pressure supply delivers
the precise and continuous pressure required. Featuring the
same quality design and compatibility features as our original
FemtoJet, the express model is your heavy duty device for those
more demanding applications.
Applications: FemtoJet express
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Microinjection into small organisms or embryos at early
developmental stages: e.g., Drosophila melanogaster,
Xenopus laevis, Caenorhabditis elegans, zebrafish,
medaka, etc.
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Pronuclear injections into mouse embryos
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Serial injection volumes from 100 pL up to 1 µL
8 | Instruments | Cell Technology
In the U.S.: Eppendorf North America 800-645-3050 · In Canada: Eppendorf Canada Ltd. 800-263-8715
E-mail: info@eppendorf.com · www.eppendorf.com