Single-cell detection of mRNA expression using nanofountain-probe electroporated molecular beacons

Juan P. Giraldo-Vela, Wonmo Kang, Rebecca L. McNaughton, Xuemei Zhang, Brian M. Wile, Andrew Tsourkas, Gang Bao, Horacio D. Espinosa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

New techniques for single-cell analysis enable new discoveries in gene expression and systems biology. Time-dependent measurements on individual cells are necessary, yet the common single-cell analysis techniques used today require lysing the cell, suspending the cell, or long incubation times for transfection, thereby interfering with the ability to track an individual cell over time. Here a method for detecting mRNA expression in live single cells using molecular beacons that are transfected into single cells by means of nanofountain probe electroporation (NFP-E) is presented. Molecular beacons are oligonucleotides that emit fluorescence upon binding to an mRNA target, rendering them useful for spatial and temporal studies of live cells. The NFP-E is used to transfect a DNA-based beacon that detects glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and an RNA-based beacon that detects a sequence cloned in the green fluorescence protein mRNA. It is shown that imaging analysis of transfection and mRNA detection can be performed within seconds after electroporation and without disturbing adhered cells. In addition, it is shown that time-dependent detection of mRNA expression is feasible by transfecting the same single cell at different time points. This technique will be particularly useful for studies of cell differentiation, where several measurements of mRNA expression are required over time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2386-2391
Number of pages6
JournalSmall
Volume11
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - May 27 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • electroporation
  • mRNA detections
  • molecular beacons
  • nanofountain probes
  • single cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Biomaterials

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