ABSTRACT
Nematostella vectensis is an established cnidarian model system. One of the greatest contributions to the growing momentum of this model is the ability to compare multiple developmental trajectories of embryogenesis, regeneration and asexual reproduction within a single organism. It is also highly amenable to the study of evolution and development, neurophysiology and behavioral ecology. Publication of the genome in 2007 resulted in the rapid establishment of routine functional genetic approaches, and next-generation techniques continue to become available. Nematostella is poised to contribute to our knowledge of cnidarian biology, evolution and conservation management, as well as our understanding of the ancestral toolkit that gave rise to both the cnidarian and bilaterian lineages.
