Generating mouse models using zygote electroporation of nucleases (ZEN) technology with high efficiency and throughput

Abstract

Mouse models with genetic modifications are widely used in biology and biomedical research. Although the application of CRISPR-Cas9 system greatly accelerated the process of generating genetically modified mice, the delivery method depending on manual injection of the components into the embryos remains a bottleneck, as it is laborious, low throughput, and technically demanding. To overcome this limitation, we invented and optimized the ZEN (Zygote electroporation of nucleases) technology to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 reagents via electroporation. Using ZEN, we were able to generate genetically modified mouse models with high efficiency and throughput. Here, we describe the protocol in great detail.