The BTX Genepaddles are paddle-style reusable electrodes suitable for a variety of applications. Genepaddles come in two sizes, each sizel consisting of a pair of electrodes. The Genepaddles feature either a rectangular 3 x 5mm paddles, or 5 x 7mm paddles. These two sizes are designed to target various electroporation areas. These electrodes are connected to either micrograbber Connection Cable or square post adaptors and connection cables which interfaced with our ECM 830 or ECM 2001 pulse generators. The Genepaddles are positioned in parallel at a predetermined gap within a tissue using the Genetrode Holder. Genepaddles may be cleaned with a mild detergent and sterilized with 70% ethanol or ethylene oxide. Properly maintained Genepaddles have a life span of approximately 1500+ pulses, and are compatible with most BTX Electroporation Systems.

APPLICATIONS

In Vitro Embryo Gene Delivery
Genepaddles were designed for in vivo applications and In Vitro Embryo Gene Delivery (IVEGD) in mouse embryo. The electrodes are placed anterior and posterior to the embryo following injection of the molecule of interest, and an electroporation pulse is delivered using a BTX Electroporation System, such as the ECM® 830 and 2001. The electric field introduced by the Genepaddles causes transient pores to form in the cells of tissue, allowing uptake and expression of gene in muscle tissue to target the function of these genes on muscle regeneration Toschi1. The 3 x 5mm Genepaddle-style electrode were used with a BTX square wave pulse generator to deliver DNA to chick brain slice tissue to study glial cell migration and neurogenesis King3. The success of this method demonstrates the potential of electroporation to transfect different types of tissues or embryos besides the classical avian embryo.

In Vivo Gene Delivery
The use of these paddle –style electrodes for in vivo applications targeting a variety of tissues including muscle and brain tissues. The over expression of Hsp70 protein in mouse skeletal muscle by transfection was found to play a role in the regulation of vasopressin and TNF during muscle regeneration Moresi2.   Paddle-style electrodes have also been used for in vivo applications. Miyasaka⁶ used an electrode to deliver DNA in vivo into the cerebral cortical anlage of E15 rat embryos. He demonstrated high-efficiency gene transfer into intact neural tissue using electroporation. Electroporation has the benefits of being less labor-intensive and more economical than competitive methods for in vivo gene transfer, such as viral methods and ballistics. Electroporation also produces greater viability and efficiency than competitive methods for in vivo gene transfer.