Protocol for isolation of mouse pre-implantation embryos for gene expression analysis

Abstract

Summary: Visualizing and quantifying the numerous factors that regulate murine pre-implantation embryonic development is technically challenging. Here, we present a protocol for the isolation of pre-implantation embryos at multiple stages of embryonic development to study gene expression. We describe steps for isolating RNA and cDNA synthesis from a small number of embryos. We then detail an immunofluorescence assay for the detection and localization of protein of interest by confocal microscopy in the pre-implantation embryos.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Varghese et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Keywords

• Developmental Biology
• Microscopy
• Model Organisms
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Expression
• Antibody