A Brief History of Xenopus
11 days ago
- #Xenopus
- #Developmental Biology
- #Genetic Engineering
- Xenopus frogs were pivotal in early pregnancy testing, replacing less efficient methods involving mice and rabbits.
- Lancelot Hogben discovered Xenopus laevis could ovulate when injected with pregnancy hormones, leading to widespread use in labs.
- Xenopus frogs became key in developmental biology due to their large, easily manipulated eggs and hardiness in captivity.
- John Gurdon's 1968 experiment with Xenopus demonstrated cloning from adult cells, predating Dolly the sheep by decades.
- Xenopus eggs were crucial in early genetic engineering, enabling the first cloning of a eukaryotic gene in bacteria.
- Xenopus laevis' tetraploid genome posed challenges for genetic research, leading to the adoption of Xenopus tropicalis for genetic studies.
- Xenopus egg extracts advanced understanding of cell division, microtubule assembly, and cellular proteins.
- Xenopus frogs were sent to space to study reproduction in zero gravity, successfully laying eggs aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.