A. Haigh, W. MacDonald, V. Lloyd. Life Sciences
Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Nuclear transfer involves the transplantation of one or more nuclei
from a donor cell or embryo to an enucleated recipient embryo,
creating a genetically identical cloned organism. Embryonic and
somatic nuclear transplantation has been successful to varying
degrees in arthropods, amphibians, and mammals. We have successfully
used embryonic nuclear transfer to create viable adult Drosophila
clones. Embryonic H2A-GFP tagged donor nuclei were transplanted into
fertilized functionally enucleated embryos. Approximately 10% of
recipients survive through embryogenesis, while less than 1% eclose
and metamorphose as viable adults. Nuclear transplant success rates
are comparable to those observed in mammals and survival rates
appear inversely proportional to the age of donor nuclei. We are
currently investigating the nature of the developmental defects seen
in unviable clones and the ability of somatic cell nuclei to support
Drosophila development. |