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Main Menu - Block
- Overview
- Anatomy and Histology
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy
- Electron Microscopy
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Targeting and Transgenics
- Immortalized Cell Line Culture
- Integrative Imaging
- Invertebrate Shared Resource
- Janelia Experimental Technology
- Mass Spectrometry
- Media Prep
- Molecular Genomics
- Primary & iPS Cell Culture
- Project Pipeline Support
- Project Technical Resources
- Quantitative Genomics
- Scientific Computing Software
- Scientific Computing Systems
- Viral Tools
- Vivarium
Dimple Press
Creates Multiple High-Quality Impressions In Cell Culture Plates Simultaneously
The Dimple Press is a novel instrument that affords a significant advancement in protocol development in genetics and embryonic development, with specific application to the generation of chimeras. Mouse chimeras have proven an invaluable tool for the generation of genetically modified strains. They have been extensively used in developmental biology as a powerful tool to analyze the phenotype of specific mutations and to attribute function to gene products.
Traditional techniques used in aggregation studies employ manual preparation of cell culture plates with small impressions or wells to hold, isolate, culture, and manipulate stem cells and embryonic components. Currently, the impressions are created individually, by hand, using specialized aggregation needles and hand-held devices, which can prove to be time-consuming and stressful on the fingers and hands. Traditional techniques also require specialized training and often generate poor quality impressions. The Dimple Press is a semi-automated, fast, reproducible, and high-throughput device that creates multiple high-quality impressions in cell culture plates simultaneously in seconds, without the need for specialized training.
The value of the technology has been demonstrated in the preparation of ES cell and embryo aggregates to generate chimeras. The device has saved over 20 minutes per dish preparation as compared to construction by hand. In a typical experiment containing six plates, researchers saved an average of 2 hours. In addition, the press configuration allows the researcher to punch a 10x set grid pattern with one pull of the lever.
Advantages:
- Controlled well depth and diameter (mm)
- Reproducible depression patterns
- Time-saving and no specialized training required.
- Clear, smooth surfaces afford easy microscopic visualization with minimal artifacts.
Applications:
- Aggregation of embryonic stem (ES) cells with either a 2-cell stage, 4-cell stage tetraploid, or 8-cell stage embryo to produce ES cell chimeras
- Preparation of two 8-cell stage embryos to produce chimeras
- Manipulation of early, post-implantation embryos to study embryonic induction processes
Opportunity:
Free to make for Non-Profit Research by downloading designs at Flintbox link to the right.
Rights and designs available for Commercial License.
For inquiries, please reference:
Janelia 2012-007
