Figure 3. RGCs transfected with YFP using the modified capillary gun remain morphologically intact for 1 week ex vivo. A: Transfection with the modified capillary gun preserves RGC axons that extend from somata to the optic nerve head. B: In contrast, transfection with a conventional entrainment biolistic device produces many axons that lose continuity mid-explant (arrows). C-E: RGC axons remain healthy 2 (C), 4 (D), and 6 (E) days after transfection with the modified capillary gun. F-H: In contrast, those from explants transfected with the entrainment device are somewhat healthy on day 2 (F), but show overt degeneration by 4 (G) to 6 (H) days after transfection. I: Quantification of these results reveals that transfection with the entrainment device causes significantly greater degeneration than does transfection with the modified capillary gun. *p<0.05 by ANOVA. J: Smi-31 staining of explants transfected with the modified capillary gun reveals organized, bundled axons. K: In contrast, those in explants transfected with a conventional entrainment device show a disorganized axonal pattern. Scale bar represents 100 μm in A and B and 50 μm in C-K.