The objective of genetic transformation is to insert a piece of foreign DNA containing a specific gene into the DNA of an organism. The receiving organism should then be able to produce the protein which is coded by the gene.
This technique is widely used on bacteria but it is harder to realise on other organism such as Ectocarpus or Ostreococcus. However it is being developed as it is very important to be able to transform a genetic model organism to use it as a genetic tool like yeast cells are today.
Photography taken by Stephanie Ries at the Station Biologique de Roscoff (2006)
This machine is called a Gene Gun. It is part of a method called "biolistics".
DNA (or RNA) construct is attached to biologically inert particles such as metal atoms (usually tungsten or gold) under certain conditions. By accelerating this DNA-particle complex in a partial vacuum and placing the target tissue within the acceleration path, DNA is effectively introduced in the organism's cells (Gan, 1989). To know more about biolistics, go to the read more section.
To know more about biolistics, go to: http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/Molbio/MolStudents/spring2003/McDonald/Gene_gun.html
