Gene Gun

The gun consists of two 6” x 7” x 10” stainless steel chambers connected to a 2HP vacuum pump. The DNA to be delivered is attached to tiny gold or tungsten balls (1 micrometer in diameter). These balls are put onto a disk that is in the inside of the Gene Gun. A blast of helium at 1000 psi sends the disk shooting forward at approximately 1300 feet per second, roughly the same speed as a bullet leaving a rifle. A screen stops the disk and the tiny gold or tungsten balls are launched towards the target cells. The balls breech the cell membrane and release the DNA particles. The Gene Gun utilizes recombinant DNA technology to incorporate the expression of the delivered genes. The genetically altered cells can be used to make plants that include the desired genetic modification in all of their cells (Voiland et al, 1999).