The derivation of germ-line competent avian primordial germ cells establishes a cell-based model system for the investigation of germ cell differentiation and the production of genetically modified animals. Current methods to modify primordial germ cells using DNA or retroviral vectors are inefficient and prone to epigenetic silencing. Here, we validate the use of transposable elements for the ...

Chick embryonic stem cells (cESCs) can be derived from cells obtained from stage X embryos (blastoderm stage); these have the ability to contribute to all somatic lineages in chimaeras, but not to the germ line. However, lines of stem cells that are able to contribute to the germ line can be established from chick primordial germ cells (cPGCs) and embryonic germ cells (cEGCs). This review provi...

In the mouse, however, it has been demonstrated that the two most posterior of the five digits are derived entirely from the polarizing region by proliferation without the requirement of Shh diffusion. To understand the contribution and significance that polarizing region cell proliferation has in forming different digit patterns, we grafted polarizing regions from a transgenic chicken line sta...

DNA uptake in the post-acrosomal region of the spermatozoa takes place exclusively in immotile spermatozoa that are naturally unable to fertilize eggs. The present study aimed to assess whether passive transmission of non-viral vectors to the surrounding areas of chicken embryos could be an alternate mechanism in chicken sperm-mediated gene transfer. First, the presence of nucleases in rooster ...

BACKGROUND Long-term maintenance of avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vitro has tremendous potential because it can be used to deepen our understanding of the biology of PGCs. A transgenic bioreactor based on the unique migration of PGCs toward the recipients' sex cord via the bloodstream and thereby creating a germline chimeric bird has many potential applications. However, the growth fact...

In the mouse, however, it has been demonstrated that the two most posterior of the five digits are derived entirely from the polarizing region by proliferation without the requirement of Shh diffusion. To understand the contribution and significance that polarizing region cell proliferation has in forming different digit patterns, we grafted polarizing regions from a transgenic chicken line sta...

Abstract Background: Selectable marker gene (SMG) systems are critical for generation of transgenic crops. Transgenic crop production Background: Selectable marker gene (SMG) systems are critical for generation of transgenic crops. Transgenic crop production without using SMG is not economically feasible. However, SMGs are non-essential once an intact transgenic plant has been established. Eli...

In the mouse, however, it has been demonstrated that the two most posterior of the five digits are derived entirely from the polarizing region by proliferation without the requirement of Shh diffusion. To understand the contribution and significance that polarizing region cell proliferation has in forming different digit patterns, we grafted polarizing regions from a transgenic chicken line sta...

Background: Canola is an agro-economically oilseed crop. Yield loss due to fungal disease of stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a serious problem in canola cultivation. Thaumatin-like proteins are large groups of the pathogenesis-related proteins which provide resistance to the fungal infection in response to invading pathogens and play a key role in plant defense s...