Manipulation of Embryonic Cleavage Geometry Using Magnetic Tweezers

Overview

Journal Methods Mol Biol

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Feb 23

PMID 38393473

Authors

Jing Xie

Daniel L Levy

Nicolas Minc

Jeremy Salle

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The geometry of reductive divisions that mark the development of early embryos instructs cell fates, sizes, and positions, by mechanisms that remain unclear. In that context, new methods to mechanically manipulate these divisions are starting to emerge in different model systems. These are key to develop future innovative approaches and understand developmental mechanisms controlled by cleavage geometry. In particular, how cell cycle pace is regulated in rapidly reducing blastomeres and how fate diversity can arise from blastomere size and position within embryos are fundamental questions that remain at the heart of ongoing research. In this chapter, we provide a detailed protocol to assemble and use magnetic tweezers in the sea urchin model and generate spatially controlled asymmetric and oriented divisions during early embryonic development.

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