The 'pricking' method. A new efficient technique for mechanically introducing foreign DNA into the nuclei of culture cells.
Using the thymidine kinase gene-containing plasmid pTK-1 and the mouse fibroblast thymidine kinase-deficient LTK- cell line, we obtained results indicating that the plasmid molecules suspended in the external medium were introduced into the nuclei by pricking cells on the nuclei with a microneedle. Approx. 25% of the cells pricked in the presence of the plasmid pTK-1 showed TK gene expression, and 2% of the cells became stable TK+ transformants. This 'pricking' method is applicable for introducing DNA into cell nuclei and is more efficient than the conventional calcium phosphate transformation method.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D010957:Plasmids; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D013937:Thymidine Kinase