Biolistic Transformation for Delivering DNA into the Mitochondria

Genetic transformation is defined as a process of introducing genetic material (i.e. DNA) into a cell that results in a heritable change. Many approaches now exist that allow routine transformation. Although the biolistic procedure is not the most widely applied transformation technique, it is a key method to modify the mitochondrial DNA and is an advisable method for gene transfer into various organisms and tissues that have proved recalcitrant to more conventional means. This method is widely used for Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial transformation. We describe here the methodology as well as the most important results which were obtained.