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Fluorescent Quail: A Transgenic Model System for the Dynamic Study of Avian Development

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Avian and Reptilian Developmental Biology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1650))

Abstract

Real-time four-dimensional (4D, xyzt) imaging of cultured avian embryos is an ideal method for investigating the complex movements of cells and tissues during early morphogenesis. While methods that transiently label cells, such as electroporation, are highly useful for dynamic imaging, they can also be limiting due to the number and type of cells that can be effectively targeted. In contrast, the heritable, stable, and long-term expression of a fluorescent protein driven by the exogenous promoter of a transgene overcomes these challenges. We have used lentiviral vectors to produce several novel transgenic quail lines that express fluorescent proteins either ubiquitously or in a cell-specific manner. These lines have proven to be useful models for dynamic imaging and analysis. Here, we provide detailed protocols for generating transgenic quail with the emphasis on producing high titer lentivirus , effectively introducing it into the early embryo and efficiently screening for G1 founder birds .

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Bertrand Benazeraf, Dr. Gerome Gros, and Greg Poynter for help in developing and optimizing this method.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Developmental Neuroscience Program, Department of Radiology, Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 4661 Sunset Boulevard MS #135, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA

    David Huss & Rusty Lansford

  2. Translational Imaging Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

    David Huss

  3. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Rusty Lansford

Authors
  1. David Huss
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  2. Rusty Lansford
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rusty Lansford .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. IRCMS, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan

    Guojun Sheng

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Huss, D., Lansford, R. (2017). Fluorescent Quail: A Transgenic Model System for the Dynamic Study of Avian Development. In: Sheng, G. (eds) Avian and Reptilian Developmental Biology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1650. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7216-6_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7216-6_8

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7215-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7216-6

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