Early embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans is characterized by a series of unequal cleavages that mark the stepwise separation of somatic and germ lineages. We have developed an in situ hybridization protocol to examine the localization of specific maternal and embryonically transcribed messenger RNAs during these early cleavages. We detected three classes of maternal RNAs: RNAs that are maintained in all cells, RNAs that are maintained in germline cells but are lost from somatic cells, and a population of RNAs that are associated with the germline-specific P granules. We observed embryonically transcribed RNAs in somatic cells as early as the 4-cell stage. These transcripts were not detected in germline cells. These observations suggest that mechanisms which distinguish between soma and germline cause asymmetries in mRNA stability and transcription within the first few cleavages of C. elegans embryogenesis.
Development Journal Meeting 2022: From Stem Cells to Human Development
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Following a virtual meeting in 2020, we are delighted to announce that the fifth iteration of our popular Journal Meeting will be held from 11-14 September 2022 at the historic Wotton House, Surrey. Registration is open now.
Preprints in Development
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As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context.
Submit your next Techniques and Resources paper to Development
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Development regularly publishes Techniques and Resources papers. These manuscripts describe a novel technique, a substantial advance of an existing technique, or a new resource that will have a significant impact on developmental biology research. Find out more here.
Transitions in development: Rashmi Priya
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Rashmi Priya’s research group uses the zebrafish heart as a model system to understand the complex morphogenetic events of organogenesis. We interviewed Rashmi to learn about her career path so far, and to discuss the challenges of starting a lab in the middle of a global pandemic.
The Node Network
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The Node Network is a global directory of developmental and stem cell biologists, designed to help you find speakers, referees, panel members and potential collaborators. Find out more about the Node Network.
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