Shell-less culture of the chick embryo as a model system in the study of developmental neurobiology

Experimental studies on animal models play essential roles in the development of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for diseases in a wide spectrum of fields including neurological sciences. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the shell-less culture system of the chick embryo as a potential experimental model in the field of developmental neurobiology. We were able to observe and record the central nervous system development of a vertebrate embryo in an artificial experimental culture container starting from an early, three-vesicle brain stage up to a well-developed five-vesicle brain stage with an embryo survival rate of 100%. Thus, this model system has the potential to enhance our knowledge on molecular and developmental neurobiology at both basic and clinical science level.