Author Spotlight: Optimizing Embryo Microinjection for Transgenesis in <i>Drosophila</i>

Transgenesis in Drosophila is essential for studying gene function at the organism level. Embryo microinjection is a crucial step for construction of transgenic flies. Here, we take the phiC31 integrase-mediated transgenesis in Drosophila as an example and present a detailed protocol for embryo microinjection for transgenesis in Drosophila.

Injection needles whose tips are beveled by a grinder do not usually get blocked or elicit large cytoplasmic leakage. However, the grinding solution can enter the beveled tip of a needle during the grinding process and the grinding solution inside the tip does not naturally dry up quickly. Our protocol uses a foot air pump with a pressure gauge to apply air pressure to a needle while grinding its tip.

This prevents the grinding solution from siphoning, thereby the grinding solution is prevented from entering the beveled tip, enabling the beveled needle to be used immediately.