Embryological and genetic manipulation of chick development

The ability to combine embryological manipulations with gene function analysis makes the chick a valuable system for the vertebrate developmental biologist. We describe methods for those unfamiliar with the chick wishing to initiate chick experiments in their lab. After outlining how to prepare chick embryos, we provide protocols for introducing beads or cells expressing secreted factors into the embryo and for culturing tissue explants as a means of assessing development in vitro. Chick gain-of-function and loss-of-function (RNAi and morpholino oligonucleotide) approaches are outlined, and methods for introducing these reagents by electroporation are detailed.