Microinjection of Live Mammalian Cells: A Delivery Method that Provides Added Versatility to the Study of Cellular Function

Microinjection is a technique that allows for the delivery of a diverse array of compounds and biomolecules into live mammalian cells. As a result, the behavior of injected biomolecules and their resulting effects can be observed in the native environments of mammalian cells in real time. This capability allows for more accurate observations and conclusions about biological systems of interest. This chapter discusses the protocol and guidelines to successfully microinject live mammalian cells to maintain their viability. This chapter outlines considerations into the preparation of samples and the microscopy setup as well as a description of a stepwise presentation of the methods for proper execution of a microinjector. The presentation of the technique serves as a starting point to understanding how to apply microinjection to a cellular system compatible with a wide array of live-cell imaging techniques.