How To Build A Gene Gun For Less than $100!

Gene guns are incredibly useful tools in the field of genetic engineering and allow you to get DNA into cells very easily. DNA is coated onto tiny tungsten or gold particles and then using compressed air, they're shot into the cells. By carefully controlling the pressure the speed of the particles can be controlled so that they only enter the cell without destroying it.

Gene guns are the ideal tool for working with bacteria, but are also the only method of genetic modification that the EPA allows. Famously this was why the glowing plant project hit a snag. They could only make their plants glow if transformed using agrobacteria.

In future videos and collaborations, we'll show how a gene gun can be used to genetically modify some simple organisms like bacteria and plants.

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This project was based off of this guide:
oreilly.com/ideas/how-to-build-and-use-a-gene-g…

The materials we used are:

High-pressure solenoid amazon.com/gp/product/B016Y8XPT4/
Adjustable relay that provides pulses in the 10–500 millisecond range amazon.com/gp/product/B0748FZ2LG
A bicycle CO2 inflator amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNLW8S2
CO2 cartridges
A valve to adjust the pressure
A pressure gauge that reads from 0–500 psi amazon.com/gp/product/B0087UAR6W/ref=oh_aui_det…
A membrane and fitting to suspend the particles
Macroparticles (Tungsten or Gold) amazon.com/Dynacraft-Tungsten-Powder-Jar-8-Ounc…
Some plumbing parts to connect everything together

Everything not bought on amazon was purchased at a local hardware store.
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