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Genetic Analysis of Xenopus tropicalis

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Xenopus Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 917))

Abstract

The pipid frog Xenopus tropicalis has emerged as a powerful new model system for combining genetic and genomic analysis of tetrapod development with robust embryological, molecular, and biochemical assays. Its early development closely resembles that of its well-understood relative X. laevis, from which techniques and reagents can be readily transferred. In contrast to the tetraploid X. laevis, X. tropicalis has a compact diploid genome with strong synteny to those of amniotes. Recently, advances in high-throughput sequencing together with solution-hybridization whole-exome enrichment technology offer powerful strategies for cloning novel mutations as well as reverse genetic identification of sequence lesions in specific genes of interest. Further advantages include the wide range of functional and molecular assays available, the large number of embryos/meioses produced, and the ease of haploid genetics and gynogenesis. The addition of these genetic tools to X. tropicalis provides a uniquely flexible platform for analysis of gene function in vertebrate development.

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Acknowledgments

Many colleagues contributed to these protocols. In addition to past and present members of the Zimmerman and Stemple laboratories, the authors would particularly like to thank Rob Grainger and Takuya Nakayama (University of Virginia), Richard Harland (UC Berkeley), and Mustafa Khokha (Yale). T.J.G. and L.B.Z. are funded by UK Medical Research Council U117560482; DLS by the Wellcome Trust WT 077047/Z/05/Z.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Medical Research, London, England, UK

    Timothy J. Geach & Lyle B. Zimmerman

  2. Wellcome Trust Sanger Genome Institute, Hinxton, England, UK

    Derek L. Stemple

Authors
  1. Timothy J. Geach
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  2. Derek L. Stemple
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  3. Lyle B. Zimmerman
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Correspondence to Lyle B. Zimmerman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, FORESTERHILL, ABERDEEN, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom

    STEFAN HOPPLER

  2. , Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, University Drive NW 2500, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Peter D Vize

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Geach, T.J., Stemple, D.L., Zimmerman, L.B. (2012). Genetic Analysis of Xenopus tropicalis . In: HOPPLER, S., Vize, P. (eds) Xenopus Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 917. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_5

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-991-4

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