| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5915741 | Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology | 2011 | 4 Pages |
The standard protocol for genetic modification of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei requires infected blood from one or more laboratory mice, followed by large-scale in vitro parasite culture and purification of mature schizonts. Here, protocols are described for small-scale in vitro culture from 20 μL of mouse tail blood and purification of mature P. berghei schizonts sufficient for a single transfection experiment. All procedures are performed in 1.5-mL microcentrifuge tubes. We confirmed that transgenic parasites could be obtained using schizonts prepared by this protocol. This small-scale protocol provides significant advantages, namely reduction of parasite sample, laboratory consumables and mice for transfection experiments.
Graphical abstractProtocols for small-scale in vitro culture from 20 μL of mouse tail blood and purification of mature P. berghei schizonts sufficient for a single transfection experiment are described.Download high-res image (162KB)Download full-size imageResearch highlights⺠Small-scale overnight culture and purification of schizonts of P. berghei are performed in 1.5-mL microcentrifuge tubes. ⺠The purified schizonts can be used in successful transfection experiments. ⺠This small-scale protocol provides significant advantages, namely reduction of parasite sample, laboratory consumables and mice for transfection experiments.
