We present transient transgenesis and gene knockdown in Ciona intestinalis, a chordate sister group to vertebrates, using microinjection and electroporation techniques. Such methods facilitate functional genomics in this simple invertebrate that features rudimentary characteristics of vertebrates, including notochord and head sensory epithelia, and many orthologs of human disease associated genes.
Kari, W., Zeng, F., Zitzelsberger, L., Will, J., Rothbächer, U. Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis. J. Vis. Exp. (116), e54313, doi:10.3791/54313 (2016).