Evolutionary developmental study by using genome-editing technologies for in vivo reconstruction of gene networks

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25650080
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: Mito Taro 徳島大学, ソシオテクノサイエンス研究部, 助教 (80322254)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ゲノム編集 / 昆虫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It remains unclear how the gene networks regulating development in multicellular organisms evolved. The experimental variation of such evolutionary processes has been possible only in limited cases. In the present study, we aimed to establish a method for in vivo reconstruction of gene networks using genome-editing technologies. We used a model insect, Gryllus bimaculatus, and achieved targeted gene knockout and knockin with CRISPR/Cas9 system. In addition, we produced genetic strains expressing a marker gene in a similar pattern of a targeted gene via enhancer trap. Thus, we established a technical basis for experimental modification of gene networks by modifying cis-regulatory sequences.

Free Research Field

発生生物学