Embryological and Genetic Manipulation of Chick Development

The ability to combine embryological manipulations with gene function analysis in an amniote embryo makes the chick a valuable system for the vertebrate developmental biologist. This chapter describes methods for those unfamiliar with the chick system wishing to initiate experiments in their lab. After outlining methods to prepare chick embryos, protocols are provided for introducing beads or cells expressing secreted factors, and for culturing tissue explants as a means of assessing development in vitro. Approaches to achieve gain of function and loss of function (morpholino oligonucleotides) in chick are outlined, and methods for introducing these reagents by electroporation are detailed.