microinjected

Microinjected is the state of a biological specimen that has received a microinjection, a technique in which a fine glass capillary or micropipette is used to introduce a substance directly into a cell, oocyte, embryo, or subcellular compartment. The method enables precise delivery of small volumes with minimal disturbance to surrounding tissue.

Microinjection procedures require specialized equipment, including a micromanipulator, a high-magnification microscope, and ultra-fine glass needles. Substances are injected in picoliter to nanoliter volumes, and the injection is often guided by visual cues or fluorescent markers. Handling requires skilled technicians to minimize damage and improve survival rates.

Microinjected materials include DNA, RNA, proteins, dyes, or nanoparticles, and are used in developmental biology, genetics, neuroscience, and reproductive technologies. In model organisms and livestock, microinjected embryos or zygotes may be used to generate transgenic lines, study gene function, or deliver gene-editing components such as CRISPR ribonucleoproteins.

Limitations include potential cellular damage, viability loss, mosaicism in developing organisms, and variable incorporation efficiency. The technique is technically demanding and typically requires controlled laboratory conditions and ethical approvals. Alternatives such as electroporation, lipofection, or viral vectors may be employed when microinjection is impractical or unsuitable.