Genetic and genomic prospects for Xenopus tropicalis research

Research using Xenopus laevis has made enormous contributions to our understanding of vertebrate development, control of the eukaryotic cell cycle and the cytoskeleton. One limitation, however, has been the lack of systematic genetic studies in Xenopus to complement molecular and cell biological investigations. Work with the closely related diploid frog Xenopus tropicalis is beginning to address this limitation. Here, we review the resources that will make genetic studies using X. tropicalis a reality.