FEATURED NEWS
Researchers can quickly move DNA or RNA into cells with CNSI at UCLA instrument
High-throughput electroporation system at the BioPACIFIC MIP’s Living Biofoundry is the only technology of its type on campus
The ability to swiftly and effectively insert nucleic acids into live cells benefits research across a spectrum of fields, from molecular biology and synthetic biology to regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
For those exploring questions or developing technologies that involve transfecting DNA or RNA into cells, newly acquired equipment is online and available for use at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA. The only shared-use instrument of its kind on campus, the Fisher Scientific BTX Gemini X2 Electroporation System is located at the Living Biofoundry, a resource of the BioPACIFIC MIP, an NSF-supported collaboration between CNSI nodes at UCSB and UCLA.
Scalability, efficiency and versatility are key advantages the system offers researchers. Thanks to the HT-200 High-Throughput Plate Handler, the Gemini X2 can simultaneously place 96 distinct DNA/RNA constructs inside a variety of organisms — and do it in under 20 seconds.
“With this system, we efficiently transformed 48 distinct DNA constructs into BL21 bacteria for a mucin peptide project, surpassing cuvette-based methods,” said Ikechukwu Okorafor, a UCLA associate project scientist at the BioPACIFIC MIP Living Biofoundry. “There are so many exciting opportunities for discovery and innovation working with a technology that overcomes the limitations of traditional electroporation.”
Using electrical pulses to create transient gaps in cell walls and move nucleic acids inside, the system can generate both exponential decay and square wave forms, with a wide range of options for voltage and pulse length. As a result, users have the flexibility to work on microbes such as bacteria and yeast, as well as mammalian cells and tissues, in vivo, in vitro and with CRISPR gene-editing experiments.
“Our group is excited to leverage the new high-throughput transfection capabilities enabled by the BTX Gemini X2 electroporation system at the Living Biofoundry,” said Steven Jonas, assistant professor of pediatric oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Having access to this key resource will provide our lab and others with greater flexibility when modifying adherent and suspension cell lines, and serve as a benchmark for the delivery of genetic engineering and gene editing tools being developed by members of the CNSI community.”
The 96-well plate handler has automated track switching and is compatible with every type of buffer. Importantly, the system matches advanced features with a user-friendly interface on a large color touchscreen. Remote operation is possible with a footswitch or via PC. Internal log storage of experimental data simplifies optimization, quality control and troubleshooting. And safety features include pre-pulse resistance measurement and three layers of arc protection.
The Gemini X2 is available to researchers based at UCLA, from other academic institutions, and working in industry. To get more information, seek training or assistance, or gain access to the electroporation instrument, contact Ikechukwu Okorafor at iokorafor@cnsi.ucla.edu, or Michael Lake, technical director of the Living Biofoundry, at mlake@cnsi.ucla.edu. Please send any additional inquiries to biopacificmip@cnsi.ucla.edu.