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Transformation Systems in Insects

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Mobile Genetic Elements

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 260))

Abstract

Genetic transformation is an important technology that provides unique opportunities to find, isolate, and analyze genes, as well as to create organisms with unique functional characteristics. Insect biologists have been developing genetic transformation technologies that rely extensively on transposable elements. A number of class II transposable elements isolated originally from insects have been converted into broad host range insect gene vectors. Class II transposable elements are particularly amenable to gene vector development, although they suffer from some limitations such as low rates of recombination. Use of these gene vectors requires the physical introduction of the vectors into developing insect embryos by microinjection. Microinjection methods vary to accommodate the unique physical and developmental characteristics of the target insects. All methods rely on the use of fine glass needles in conjunction with micromanipulators and a microscope. A serious constraint on the use of existing systems can be the inefficiency of successfully delivering the gene vectors to the germ cells of the developing embryo. The general method for vector delivery to insect germ cells is described, as well as variations that are useful under some conditions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Maryland, Biotechnology Institute, MD

    David A. O’ Brochta

  2. Entomology Department, University of California, Riverside, CA

    Peter W. Atkinson

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  1. David A. O’ Brochta
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  2. Peter W. Atkinson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. AG General Genetics, Institute of Medical Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Wolfgang J. Miller

  2. Laboratoire Populations, Génétique et Evolution, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    Pierre Capy

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© 2004 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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O’ Brochta, D.A., Atkinson, P.W. (2004). Transformation Systems in Insects. In: Miller, W.J., Capy, P. (eds) Mobile Genetic Elements. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 260. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-755-6:227

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-755-6:227

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-007-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-755-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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