Gene gun

PDS-1000/He Particle Delivery System

In genetic engineering, a gene gun or biolistic particle delivery system is a device used to deliver exogenous DNA (transgenes), RNA, or protein to cells. By coating particles of a heavy metal with a gene of interest and firing these micro-projectiles into cells using mechanical force, an integration of desired genetic information can be introduced into desired cells. The technique involved with such micro-projectile delivery of DNA is often referred to as biolistics, short for "biological ballistics".[1][2]

This device is able to transform almost any type of cell and is not limited to the transformation of the nucleus; it can also transform organelles, including plastids and mitochondria.[3]

A gene gun is used for delivery of exogenous DNA to cells. This method is known as 'biolistics'. Gene guns can be used effectively on most cells but are mainly used on plant cells.
  1. The gene gun apparatus is ready to fire.
  2. Helium fills the chamber and pressure builds against the rupture disk.
  3. The pressure eventually reaches the point where the rupture disk breaks, and the resulting burst of helium propels the DNA/gold-coated macrocarrier ('Plastic Disk') into the stopping screen.
  4. When the macrocarrier hits the stopping screen, the DNA-coated gold particles are propelled through the screen and into the target cells.
  1. ^ O'Brien, John A.; Lummis, Sarah CR (2011). "Nano-biolistics: A method of biolistic transfection of cells and tissues using a gene gun with novel nanometer-sized projectiles". BMC Biotechnology. 11: 66. doi:10.1186/1472-6750-11-66. PMC 3144454. PMID 21663596.
  2. ^ Carter, Matt; Shieh, Jennifer (6 March 2015). "Chapter 11 - Gene Delivery Strategies". Academic Press (Second ed.). ISBN 978-0-12-800511-8.
  3. ^ Sanford, John C. (1990). "Biolistic plant transformation". Physiologia Plantarum. 79 (1): 206–209. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3054.1990.tb05888.x. ISSN 1399-3054.