ABSTRACT
New molecular biology techniques have been applied to study the function and expression patterns of particular genes in embryonic development. One such technique, targeted gene disruption, allows researchers to study the function of a particular gene by genetically engineering null mutant mice. An alternative technique, antisense oligonucleotide technology, has been developed that permits targeted gene disruptions that not only are more economical and less time-consuming than those obtained by engineering null mutant mice, but also can be used to block a gene’s function at specific stages of development. A disadvantage to using the antisense approach with mouse whole embryo culture is that only a limited number of embryonic stages can be studied, because embryos can only be grown from gastrulation through early phases of organogenesis. To conduct antisense studies using mouse whole-embryo culture, one must master and feel confident using the whole-embryo culture technique.
