This article aims to demonstrate the use of parthenogenetic haploid embryonic stem cells as a substitute for sperm for the construction of semi-cloned embryos.
In organisms with sexual reproduction, germ cells are the source of totipotent cells that develop into new individuals. In mice, fertilization of an oocyte by a spermatozoon creates a totipotent zygote. Recently, several publications have reported that haploid embryonic stem cells (haESCs) can be a substitute for gametic genomes and contribute to embryos, which develop into mice. Here, we present a protocol to apply parthenogenetic haESCs as a substitute of sperm to construct embryos by intracytoplasmic injection into oocytes. This protocol consists of steps for preparing haESCs as sperm replacement, for injection of haESC chromosomes into oocytes, and for culture of semi-cloned embryos. The embryos can yield fertile semi-cloned mice after embryo transfer. Using haESCs as sperm replacement facilitates genome editing in the germline, studies of embryonic development, and investigation of genomic imprinting.
In mammals, gametes are the only cells that transmit genetic information to the next generation. Fusion of an oocyte and a spermatozoon forms a diploid zygote that develops into an adult animal. Mutations in gametic genomes are thereby inherited by the offspring and drive genetic variation in species1. Introduction of mutations in the germline has been applied to produce genetically modified animals for diverse biological studies including the characterization of gene function and disease modelling. Both oocytes and spermatozoa are terminally differentiated and highly specialized cells that have ceased proliferation. Therefore, direct modification of gametes is technically difficult, and specialized approaches have been developed. Genetic modifications can be introduced into the mouse germline by the injection of genetically modified ESCs into blastocysts, where they integrate into the developing embryo and colonize the germline. Additionally, genetic modification of zygotes using genome editing approaches, including the CRISPR/Cas9 system, has become widely adopted2.
Recently, an outstanding approach has been reported, which applies haESCs as a substitute for a gametic genome3,4,5,6,7,8. HaESCs are stem cell lines derived from the inner cell mass of parthenogenetic or androgenetic haploid blastocysts and possess a single set of chromosomes4,7,9,10. It has been demonstrated that both parthenogenetic and androgenetic haESCs can contribute to the genome of semi-cloned mice after intracytoplasmic injection into oocytes. In contrast to other approaches, the genomes of haESCs can be directly modified in culture owing to their self-renewal capacity. Introducing genetic modifications into the germline by replacing sperm with haESCs is an important method for biological studies. It provides for a possibility to separately culture and manipulate the maternal or paternal genome, which are derived from parthenogenetic or androgenetic haESCs, respectively. HaESCs can then be used as gametic genome replacement, which is especially advantageous for studies of genomic imprinting, allele-specific expression, and parental specific processes.
In mice, both maternal and paternal genomic information is required for normal embryo development11. Therefore, full-term pups could not be obtained when wild-type parthenogenetic haESCs (phaESCs) were injected to replace the sperm genome5,8. To overcome the developmental block, genomic imprinting of the maternal genome of parthenogenetic haESCs needs to be corrected to a paternal configuration. This can be achieved by manipulation of the differentially methylated regions (DMRs). To date, targeted deletions of the H19-DMR, Gtl2-Dlk1 IG-DMR, and Rasgrf1-DMR have been studied to repress maternally expressed genes in phaESCs3,5,8,12. These studies demonstrated that deletions of both the H19-DMR and the IG-DMR are sufficient to convert a maternal into a paternal imprint configuration that can substitute for sperm chromosomes. Intracytoplasmic injection of phaESCs that carry the two DMR deletions into oocytes yielded semi-cloned pups with a frequency between 5.1% and 15.5% of transferred 2-cell embryos.
This protocol is based on the application of phaESCs with deletions of both H19-DMR and IG-DMR, which we term double-knockout phaESCs (DKO-phaESCs). We provide detailed instructions for the modification of genomic imprinting in phaESCs to establish DKO-phaESC lines, for the injection of DKO-phaESCs into oocytes as a substitute for a sperm genome, for culture of semi-cloned embryos to blastocysts, and for obtaining semi-cloned mice. This protocol is a reference for researchers who require precise and direct manipulation of the paternal genome and generation of semi-cloned embryos and mice.
All animal experiments were performed under the license ZH152/17 in accordance with the standards and regulations of the Cantonal Ethics Commission Zurich and the EPIC animal facility at the Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich.
NOTE: This protocol starts with the deletion of the H19– and IG-DMRs in phaESCs. For details on how to establish phaESC lines, please refer to published reports10,13. An overview and timeframe of this protocol (steps 1–14) is provided in Figure 1A; media, solutions, and buffers are listed in Table 1. The procedure to establish DKO-phaESC lines (steps 1–6) is shown in Figure 1B, and the strategy for constructing semi-cloned embryos (steps 7–14) is depicted in Figure 1C.
1. Transfection of plasmids for deletion of H19-DMR and IG-DMR in phaESCs
2. Single-cell plating of transfected phaESCs using a flow cytometer
3. Sub-cloning of transfected phaESCs
4. First genotyping of sub-cloned phaESC lines with MEFs
5. Haploid cell purification of sub-cloned phaESC lines
6. Second genotyping of sub-cloned phaESC lines without MEFs
NOTE: A second round of genotyping is performed to confirm that the sub-cloned phaESC lines possess deletions of both the H19– and IG-DMRs, and that wildtype alleles are absent after the removal of MEFs.
7. Superovulation of mice
8. Oocyte collection
9. Treatment and collection of DKO-phaESCs
10. Purification of M-phase-arrested DKO-phaESCs
11. Preparation of holding and microinjection pipettes
NOTE: For performing the intracytoplasmic injection (step 12), several holding and microinjection pipettes are required (Figure 4A). These pipettes can be purchased on tailor-made demand from a commercial supplier or made from suitable glass capillaries using a micropipette puller and a microforge.
12. Intracytoplasmic injection of DKO-phaESCs
13. Activation of constructed semi-cloned embryos
14. Development of constructed semi-cloned embryos
The purpose of this protocol is to apply haESCs as a substitute of sperm to obtain semi-cloned embryos and mice. For this purpose, a DKO-phaESC line carrying the CAG-EGFP transgene was generated and used for intracytoplasmic injection into MII oocytes. To obtain a suitable phaESC line with a paternal imprint configuration, we performed genetic engineering using Cas9 nucleases. A haploid ESC line contains haploid and diploid cells that arise due to an inherent tendency of haploid ESCs for diploidization10. A haploid chromosome set is a prerequisite for successful replacement of the sperm genome. DNA content analysis by flow cytometry shows the distribution of haploid and diploid cells at G0/G1-, S-, and G2/M-phases (Figure 2A).
To establish the DKO-phaESC lines, wildtype phaESC lines were transfected with piggyBac transposon constructs for stable transgenic EGFP expression and with CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids for obtaining deletions of the H19– and IG-DMRs. To exclude diploid ESCs and isolate only haploid ESCs expressing EGFP, a specific sort gate was defined (Figure 2A). Single haploid EGFP-positive cells were then plated into individual wells of 96-well plates to obtain sub-clones. MEF feeders were used to increase the plating efficiency and survival of the transfected phaESCs. After expansion of the cultures, an initial round of genotyping was carried out by PCR to identify sub-clones that carry deletions of both DMRs. After MEF feeders had been removed from the cultures, a second genotyping was performed to confirm the absence of wildtype alleles at the H19– and IG-DMRs (Figure 2B). From a total of 135 sub-clones, we obtained 5 haploid DKO-phESC lines that carried the deleted alleles and were free of wildtype alleles of both the H19-DMR and the IG-DMR.
A CAG-EGFP transgene was introduced into DKO-phaESCs to study their contribution to semi-cloned embryos by visualization of green fluorescence under a microscope (Figure 3A). For the intracytoplasmic injection, DKO-phaESCs were treated with demecolcine to arrest them in M-phase. Thus, the cell cycle of DKO-phaESCs was synchronized with that of MII oocytes. Flow cytometry analysis showed 2 populations corresponding to G2/M phase arrested haploid (2n) and diploid cells (4n) after the treatment with demecolcine (Figure 3B). Absence of the 1n haploid peak indicated that the cell cycle arrest was largely complete. M-phase haploid ESCs were then sorted and injected into oocytes. For this, a single DKO-phaESC was loaded into the microinjection pipette and injected into the cytoplasm of a MII oocyte (Figure 3C). The plasma membrane of the DKO-phaESC was ruptured by pipetting into the tip of the microinjection pipette.
After the injection, EGFP expression was rarely detected in the constructed semi-cloned embryos as the cytoplasm of DKO-phaESCs had dispersed in the large cytoplasm of the oocyte (Figure 3D). In rare cases, a round spot of intense EGFP expression could be observed within the ooplasm. This observation was likely caused by the inadvertent injection of intact DKO-phaESCs. Failure to rupture the DKO-phaESC cell membrane is likely not compatible with further embryo development and should be avoided. One hour after the injection, embryos were activated by treatment with strontium chloride18. Six hours after the initiation of activation, up to 3 polar bodies were observed under the microscope (Figure 3E). These polar bodies correspond to the first and second polar bodies of the oocyte and a pseudo polar body from the DKO-phaESC7. In addition, two pronuclei were observed under a differential interference contrast microscope, which resembled the pronuclear stage of zygotes after normal fertilization with sperm.
To demonstrate developmental competence, semi-cloned embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage (Figure 5A). Furthermore, a full-term mouse was obtained after transferring semi-cloned 2-cell stage embryos into the oviducts of a recipient female (Figure 5B). As expected, the mouse derived from a semi-cloned embryo was a female as neither oocytes nor oocyte-derived phaESCs carry a Y chromosome. The semi-cloned mouse was overtly normal and produced healthy offspring when mated with a wildtype Swiss Webster male. Until now, the semi-cloned mouse has been alive for over 600 days without any apparent health problems.
Figure 1: Overview of the application of DKO-phaESCs as sperm replacement. (A) A time frame of the procedures of the protocol. (B) The scheme shows the steps to establish DKO-phaESC lines (steps 1–6). (C) The scheme shows the steps to construct semi-cloned embryos by intracytoplasmic injection of a DKO-phaESC into a MII oocyte (steps 7–14). Abbreviations: DKO = double-knockout; phaESC = parthogenetic haploid embryonic stem cell; FACS = fluorescence-activated cell sorting; MEF = mouse embryonic fibroblast. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: Establishment of DKO-phaESC lines by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletions of H19– and IG-DMRs. (A) Flow cytometry analysis of phaESCs after transfection with piggyBac plasmids for stable EGFP expression and with 4 CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids. Non-transfected phaESCs are shown as control. The DNA profile (top) shows the cell cycle distribution of haploid and diploid cells. G1/S-phase haploid cells expressing EGFP are indicated by the green gate (bottom, right). (B) Genotyping of phaESC sub-clones that were grown on MEFs (first genotyping) and after removal of MEFs (second genotyping). Sub-cloned phaESC lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent wildtype cells, cells with a H19-DMR deletion, with an IG-DMR deletion, and with combined H19– and IG-DMR deletions, respectively. DKO-phaESC lines 5–8 possess both H19-DMR and IG-DMR deletions and are free from wildtype alleles. Abbreviations: DKO = double-knockout; phaESC = parthogenetic haploid embryonic stem cell; DMR = differentially methylated region; MEF = mouse embryonic fibroblast; EGFP = enhanced green fluorescent protein; WT = wildtype. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: Injection of mitotically arrested DKO-phaESCs into MII oocytes. (A) Morphology of a DKO-phaESC culture that carries a CAG-EGFP transgene and deletions of the H19- and IG-DMRs; scale bar = 50 µm. (B) Representative flow cytometry analysis of DKO-phaESCs after arrest with demecolcine for 8 h. DKO-phaESCs without demecolcine treatment are shown as control. (C) Morphology of DKO-phaESCs in the microinjection pipette. A single intact DKO-phaESC before (left) and after (right) rupturing the plasma membrane by pipetting is shown; scale bar = 20 µm. (D) Constructed embryos at 1 h after injection of DKO-phaESCs into MII oocytes. A merged image of EGFP fluorescence and bright field is shown. Black arrowheads indicate round spots of intense EGFP expression after injection of intact DKO-phaESCs, which should be avoided; scale bar = 50 µm. (E) A differential interference contrast image of semi-cloned embryos 6 h after the initiation of activation with strontium chloride is shown. White arrowheads indicate embryos with 3 polar bodies including one pseudo polar body from the injected DKO-phaESC; scale bar = 50 µm. Abbreviations: DKO = double-knockout; phaESC = parthogenetic haploid embryonic stem cell; EGFP = enhanced green fluorescent protein. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 4: Scheme of the setup for intracytoplasmic injection of DKO-phaESCs into oocytes. (A) The arrangement of an injection pipette, a holding pipette, and an oocyte in the injection chamber is shown. α, bend angle of the microinjection pipette. (B) Layout of the drops in the micromanipulation dish for intracytoplasmic injection. Abbreviations: DKO = double-knockout; phaESC = parthogenetic haploid embryonic stem cell. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 5: Development of semi-cloned embryos. (A) Preimplantation development of semi-cloned embryos in vitro. EGFP expression is initially observed in four-cell embryos at day 2 after intracytoplasmic injection. At day 4, intense EGFP expression can be observed in blastocysts; scale bar = 100 µm. (B) A semi-cloned mouse obtained after 2-cell embryo transfer to a recipient female. At 74 dpp, the semi-cloned mouse (arrowhead) delivered her first pups (asterisk) by natural birth after mating with a wildtype Swiss Webster male. Semi-cloned embryos and the semi-cloned mouse shown in this figure are identical with ones reported in Aizawa et al.3. Abbreviations: EGFP = enhanced green fluorescent protein; .dpp, days post-partum. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Gelatin solution | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
Water | – | 500 mL | – |
Gelatin | – | 1 g | 0.2% |
Haploid embryonic stem cell (HaESC) medium | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
NDiff 227 | – | 10 mL | – |
CHIR 99021 | 10 mM | 3 µL | 3 µM |
PD 0325901 | 10 mM | 1 µL | 1 µM |
LIF | 1 x 106 IU/mL | 10 µL | 1,000 IU/mL |
Penicillin-Streptomycin | 100x | 100 µL | 1x |
HaESC maintenance buffer | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
HaESC medium | – | 1 mL | – |
HEPES solution | 1 M | 20 µL | 20 mM |
Wash buffer | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
DMEM / F-12 | – | 100 mL | – |
BSA fraction | 7.5% | 7.1 mL | 0.5% |
MEF medium | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
DMEM | – | 500 mL | – |
FBS | – | 56 mL | 10% |
β-Mercaptoethanol | 14.3 mol/L | 3.9 µL | 100 µM |
Penicillin-Streptomycin | 100x | 5.6 mL | 1x |
Lysis buffer | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
Water | – | 8.25 mL | – |
Tris-HCl (pH 8.5) | 1 M | 1 mL | 100 mM |
EDTA | 0.5 M | 100 µL | 5 mM |
SDS solution | 10% | 200 µL | 0.2% |
NaCl | 5 M | 400 µL | 200 mM |
Proteinase K | 20 mg/mL | 50 µL | 100 µg/mL |
Activation medium | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
KSOM | – | 1 mL | – |
Strontium chloride | 1 M | 5 µL | 5 mM |
EGTA | 0.5 M, pH 8.0 | 4 µL | 2 mM |
PVP solution | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
M2 medium | – | 5 mL | – |
PVP | – | 0.6 g | 12% |
PMSG solution | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
PBS | – | 450 µL | – |
PMSG | 500 IU/mL | 50 µL | 50 IU/mL |
hCG solution | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
PBS | – | 450 µL | – |
hCG | 500 IU/mL | 50 µL | 50 IU/mL |
Hyaluronidase medium | |||
Component | Stock concentration | Volume / weight | Final concentration |
M2 medium | – | 380 µL | – |
Hyaluronidase | 10 mg/mL | 20 µL | 0.5 mg/mL |
Abbreviations: LIF = leukemia inhibitory factor; MEF = mouse embryonic fibroblast; | |||
FBS = fetal bovine serum; DMEM = Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium; BSA = bovine serum albumin; | |||
EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; SDS = sodium dodecylsulfate; EGTA = ethylene-bis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid; | |||
PBS = phosphate-buffered saline; PVP = polyvinylpyrrolidone; hCG = human chorionic gonadotropin; | |||
PMSG = pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. |
Table 1: Recipe of medium, buffer, and solution.
Name | Sequence (5' to 3') | Application | |
H19-DMR-P1 | GTG GTT AGT TCT ATA TGG GG | Genotyping | |
H19-DMR-P2 | AGA TGG GGT CAT TCT TTT CC | Genotyping | |
H19-DMR-P3 | TCT TAC AGT CTG GTC TTG GT | Genotyping | |
IG-DMR-P1 | TGT GCA GCA GCA AAG CTA AG | Genotyping | |
IG-DMR-P2 | CCA CAA AAA CCT CCC TTT CA | Genotyping | |
IG-DMR-P3 | ATA CGA TAC GGC AAC CAA CG | Genotyping | |
H19-DMR-gRNA1-F | CAC CCA TGA ACT CAG AAG AGA CTG | gRNA | |
H19-DMR-gRNA1-R | AAA CCA GTC TCT TCT GAG TTC ATG | gRNA | |
H19-DMR-gRNA2-F | CAC CAG GTG AGA ACC ACT GCT GAG | gRNA | |
H19-DMR-gRNA2-R | AAA CCT CAG CAG TGG TTC TCA CCT | gRNA | |
IG-DMR-gRNA1-F | CAC CCG TAC AGA GCT CCA TGG CAC | gRNA | |
IG-DMR-gRNA1-R | AAA CGT GCC ATG GAG CTC TGT ACG | gRNA | |
IG-DMR-gRNA2-F | CAC CCT GCT TAG AGG TAC TAC GCT | gRNA | |
IG-DMR-gRNA2-R | AAA CAG CGT AGT ACC TCT AAG CAG | gRNA |
Table 2: List of oligonucleotides.
Cloning of mammals by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been pioneered in the 1990s19,20,21. These developments followed cloning studies conducted 30 years earlier in amphibians22. The considerable delay reflects the difficulty of embryology and genomic imprinting in mammals. The development of mammalian SCNT is the basis for the application of haESC for substituting sperm, which is detailed in this protocol.
Cell cycle synchronization is an important factor for the success of SCNT23. This is also the case for injection of haESC in this protocol. Introducing a donor genome into a recipient requires the cell cycle phases to be matched to avoid chromosomal breakage or aneuploidies that would abrogate embryo development. Semi-cloning has the additional complexity that two genomes and a cytoplast need to be compatible. A previous report has demonstrated that injection of M-phase-arrested androgenetic haESCs yielded better developmental rates of semi-cloned embryos than injection of G1-phase haESCs into oocytes7. This report suggests M-phase as a suitable synchronization point for semi-cloning. Accordingly, phaESCs were mitotically arrested in metaphase with demecolcine and injected into the ooplasm of MII oocytes, which were naturally arrested in metaphase II of meiosis. Importantly, M-phase arrest can be achieved in mouse ESCs with high efficiency, providing excellent synchronization between donor and recipient cell cycles.
During mitosis, the nuclear membrane breaks down and a spindle forms to which the replicated chromosomes attach. After injection of M-phase DKO-phaESCs, sister chromatids are segregated into a pseudo polar body and the zygote7 (Figure 3E). Consequently, a single set of chromosomes from a DKO-phaESC contributes to the semi-cloned embryo. It is critical that the sister chromatids of DKO-phaESC chromosomes can be correctly segregated after injection. The plasma membrane of an intact DKO-phaESC prevents segregation into a pseudo polar body. We did indeed observe rare cases where the plasma membrane of DKO-phaESCs was not ruptured, and embryos exhibited intact DKO-phaESCs in the ooplasm after injection (Figure 3D). Therefore, care must be taken to remove the plasma membrane of DKO-phaESCs by pipetting. During injection, it is equally important to avoid the disruption of the meiotic spindle of the oocyte, which could lead to chromosome segregation defects and induce aneuploidy as well.
In mammals, genomic imprinting limits the application of phaESCs as sperm replacement. Parthenogenetic haESCs possess a maternal configuration of genomic imprints, whereas sperm possess a paternal configuration. Therefore, generation of full-term pups has not occurred after the injection of wildtype phaESCs as sperm replacement. To overcome this limitation, deletions of the IG– and H19-DMRs are engineered in phaESCs. Modification of imprinted expression at the maternal Igf2-H19 and Gtl2-Dlk1 loci is sufficient to change the configuration of genomic imprints for allowing the generation of semi-cloned mice with a frequency of over 5.1%, based on transferred 2-cell embryos. These observations suggest that targeting two imprinted genes switches the genome of phaESCs into a functional paternal configuration that can replace sperm in mice. Nevertheless, a permanent genetic modification of the phaESCs is required for this strategy. As an alternative strategy, androgenetic haESC can be considered. Androgenetic haESCs are derived from the sperm genome and possess paternal imprints. There have been reports that wildtype androgenetic haESCs contributed as sperm replacement to generate full-term pups at a frequency between 1.3% and 1.9% of transferred embryos4,7,24. Full-term pups have also been obtained by injecting androgenetic haESCs with deletions of the IG– and H19-DMRs at a frequency of 20.2% of transferred 2-cell embryos24. The increased efficiency of semi-cloning using modified androgenetic haESCs is likely because imprints can become unstable in culture. Imprinting defects are corrected by the genetic deletions of critical DMRs.
Considering the difficulty in introducing genetic modifications directly into the oocyte or sperm genomes, haESCs are a valuable tool for manipulating the parental genomes separately. Using haESCs as a substitute of sperm provides a remarkable advantage for genome editing in the mouse germline. A recent study has combined CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing with the application of haESCs for the characterization of imprinting regions that are critical for embryonic development12. This study analyzed the role of the Rasgrf1-DMR in combination with the H19-and IG-DMRs in the development of bimaternal mice, and the function of 7 different DMRs in the development of bipaternal mice. The method for substituting haESCs for sperm formed the basis for genetic screening approaches for identifying key amino acids within the DND1 protein in primordial germ cell development and for identifying genes in bone development24,25,26. Studies on genomic imprinting and genetic screening to identify key factors in embryonic development are considerable approaches for the application of haESCs as gametic genomes.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
We thank Dr. Giulio Di Minin for derivation of phaESC lines and Dr. Remo Freimann for flow cytometry operation. We also acknowledge Ms. Michèle Schaffner and Mr. Thomas M. Hennek for technical support with embryo transfer. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant 31003A_152814/1).
1.5 mLTube | Eppendorf | 0030 125.150 | haESC culture |
15 ml Tube | Greiner Bio-One | 188271 | haESC culture |
12-well plate | Thermo Scientific | 150628 | haESC culture |
24-well plate | Thermo Scientific | 142475 | haESC culture |
6-well plate | Thermo Scientific | 140675 | haESC culture |
96-well plate | Thermo Scientific | 167008 | haESC culture |
β-Mercaptoethanol | Merck | M6250 | haESC culture |
BSA fraction | Gibco | 15260-037 | haESC culture |
CHIR 99021 | Axon | 1386 | haESC culture |
Demecolcine solution | Merck | D1925 | haESC culture |
DMEM | Gibco | 41965-039 | haESC culture |
DMEM / F-12 | Gibco | 11320-033 | haESC culture |
DR4 mouse | The Jackson Laboratory | 3208 | haESC culture |
EDTA | Merck | E5134 | haESC culture |
FBS | biowest | S1810-500 | haESC culture |
Freezing medium | amsbio | 11897 | haESC culture |
Gelatin | Merck | G1890 | haESC culture |
Hepes solution | Gibco | 15630-056 | haESC culture |
Irradiated MEF | Gibco | A34966 | haESC culture |
LIF (Leukemia inhibitory factor) | (Homemade) | – | haESC culture |
Lipofection reagent | Invitrogen | 11668019 | haESC culture |
NDiff 227 | Takara | Y40002 | haESC culture |
PD 0325901 | Axon | 1408 | haESC culture |
Pen Strep | Gibco | 15140-122 | haESC culture |
piggyBac plasmid carrying a CAG-EGFP transgene | Addgene | #40973 | haESC culture |
piggyBac transposase plasmid | System Biosciences | PB210PA-1 | haESC culture |
pX330 plasmid | Addgene | #42230 | haESC culture |
pX458 plasmid | Addgene | #48138 | haESC culture |
Trypsin | Gibco | 15090-046 | haESC culture |
DNA polymerase | Thermo Scientific | F549S | Genotyping |
dNTP Mix | Thermo Scientific | R0192 | Genotyping |
Ethanol | Merck | 100983 | Genotyping |
Hydrochloric acid | Merck | 100317 | Genotyping |
Isopropanol | Merck | 109634 | Genotyping |
Proteinase K | Axon | A3830 | Genotyping |
SDS | Merck | 71729 | Genotyping |
Sodium chloride | Merck | 106404 | Genotyping |
ThermoMixer | Epeendorf | 5384000012 | Genotyping |
Tris | Merck | T1503 | Genotyping |
5 mL Tube | Falcon | 352063 | Flow cytometry |
5 mL Tube with cell strainer cap | Falcon | 352235 | Flow cytometry |
Hoechst 33342 | Invitrogen | H3570 | Flow cytometry |
MoFlo Astrios EQ | Beckman Coulter | B25982 | Flow cytometry |
1 mL syringe | Codan | 62.1640 | Superovulation |
30-gauge 1/2 inch needle | Merck | Z192362-100EA | Superovulation |
B6D2F1 mouse | The Jackson Laboratory | 100006 | Superovulation |
hCG | MSD animal health | 49451 | Superovulation |
PBS | Gibco | 10010015 | Superovulation |
PMSG | Avivasysbio | OPPA1037 5000 IU | Superovulation |
10-cm dish | Thermo Scientific | 150350 | Embryo manipulation |
4-well plate | Thermo Scientific | 179830 | Embryo manipulation |
50 mL tube | Greiner Bio-One | 227261 | Embryo manipulation |
6 cm dish | Thermo Scientific | 150288 | Embryo manipulation |
Center-well dish | Corning | 3260 | Embryo manipulation |
Digital rocker | Thermo Scientific | 88880020 | Embryo manipulation |
EGTA | AppliChem | A0878 | Embryo manipulation |
Hyaluronidase | Merck | H4272 | Embryo manipulation |
KSOM | Merck | MR-020P-5F | Embryo manipulation |
M16 medium | Merck | M7292 | Embryo manipulation |
M2 medium | Merck | M7167 | Embryo manipulation |
Mineral oil | Merck | M8410 | Embryo manipulation |
Glass capillary | Merck | P1049-1PAK | Embryo manipulation |
Stereomicroscope | Nikon | SMZ745 | Embryo manipulation |
Strontium chloride | Merck | 13909 | Embryo manipulation |
5ml syringe | Codan | 62.5607 | Microinjection |
Borosilicate glass cappilary | Science product | GB100T-8P | Microinjection |
CellTram 4r Oil | Eppendorf | 5196000030 | Microinjection |
Fluorinert FC-770 | Merck | F3556 | Microinjection |
Holding pipette | BioMedical Instruments | – | Microinjection |
Inverted microscope | Nikon | Eclipse Ti-U | Microinjection |
Microforge | Narishige | MF-900 | Microinjection |
Microinjection pipette | BioMedical Instruments | – | Microinjection |
Microlaoder tips | Eppendorf | 5252 956.003 | Microinjection |
Micromanipulaor arms | Narishige | NT-88-V3 | Microinjection |
Micropipette puller | Sutter Instrument | P-1000 | Microinjection |
PiezoXpert | Eppendorf | 5194000016 | Microinjection |
PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidine) | Merck | PVP360 | Microinjection |
Syringe filter | SARSTEDT | 83.1826.001 | Microinjection |