Journal article
A portable, ultra-low cost, open-source, pedal-controlled microinjector for laboratory use
PloS one, v 21(5), e0347487
27 May 2026
PMID: 42201943
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
In vivo transduction or electroporation often requires sub-microliter volume injection of virus or recombinant DNA/RNA to a precise anatomic site. Two-hand manual manipulation of the injection needle and target tissues is dramatically faster than mechanical manipulation, but technically challenging for operators. Here, we present an all open-source, footswitch-actuated injector for nano- or microliter volumes. Our microinjector is simple, can be assembled in less than 2 hours with ordinary tools, does not require custom fabrication or soldering, and can cost less than $130 USD. This device is completely self-contained, pressure controllable, and offers both aspirate and discharge modes to facilitate multiple injections during the same procedure. Pulse-triggered discharges can reliably deliver nanoliter volumes with dispense errors of around 15%. By reducing technical and financial barriers, we anticipate this microinjector may inspire adoption of in vivo electroporation or genome editing across broader scientific communities where access may be presently limited.
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Details
- Title
- A portable, ultra-low cost, open-source, pedal-controlled microinjector for laboratory use
- Creators
- Victor H Dominguez - Tulane UniversityMaxwell Frankfurter - Cardiovascular Institute of the SouthKevin B Hayes - University of New BrunswickMark L Kahn - University of PennsylvaniaMartin H Dominguez (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- PloS one, v 21(5), e0347487
- Publisher
- PLOS
- Number of pages
- 21
- Grant note
- OakBend Medical Center Sam Houston State University
This work was supported by Sam Houston State University and OakBend Medical Center (to VHD); the National Institutes of Health Medical Scientist Training Program at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and NIH (F30HL175934 to MF);NIH grant (R01HL153224 to MLK) and support from the Leducq Foundation (to MLK); NIH training grants (T32HL007731 and T32HL007843 to MHD); NIH grant (3R01HL164929-02S1 to MLK); NIH grant (K08HL171841 to MHD); and the American Heart Association (24TPA1285467 to MHD). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Science
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001780115000012
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105040195999
- Other Identifier
- 991022183475704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences