tools

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC)


  Technique used to detect and visualize the distribution of specific proteins or antigens in tissue sections or whole-mount embryos/larvae
• Antibodies


  Proteins produced by the immune system that specifically recognize and bind to target molecules (antigens)
• cDNA libraries


  Collections of cloned DNA sequences representing the mRNA transcripts expressed in a particular tissue, developmental stage, or experimental condition
• CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)


  Powerful genome editing tool that allows researchers to precisely modify or disrupt specific genes in model organisms
• In-situ hybridization (ISH)


  Technique used to detect and localize specific mRNA transcripts within tissues or whole-mount embryos/larvae
• Morpholinos (antisense molecules)


  Synthetic, modified oligonucleotides that can bind to and block the translation or splicing of specific mRNA molecules
• cDNA overexpression constructs


  1. Researchers generate constructs containing the coding sequence of a gene of interest under the control of a strong promoter

  2. Constructs are introduced into embryos or cells through techniques like microinjection, electroporation, or viral transduction

  3. Leads to overexpression of the target gene
• mRNA injection


  1. Synthetic mRNA encoding the protein of interest is directly injected into embryos

  2. Results in transient overexpression during early developmental stages
• Morpholinos (antisense oligonucleotides)


  Used in model organisms like zebrafish and Xenopus to knock down gene expression by blocking translation or splicing of target mRNAs
• CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing


  Used to create gene knockouts by introducing mutations or indels that disrupt the coding sequence or regulatory regions of the target gene
• Hox genes


  Genes that ensure each cell takes on its correct role, need to be carefully regulated
• Sonic hedgehog gene


  Regulator for development, controls growth and patterning of tissues and organs
• Pax genes


  Family of genes coding for tissue specific transcription factors