Ascidians are closest living relatives of vertebrates. Ciona intestinalis is the model ascidian because of its well-annotated genome information and established methodologies for manipulating genes. Using Ciona, our group studies genetic mechanisms underlying development of ascidians. Particularly, we are interested in the mechanisms of metamorphosis, in which Ciona dramatically converts its body structure from swimming tadpole larva into sessile, vase-like adult. We developed the methods to modify genomes of Ciona by means of transgenic and genome editing technologies. The transgenic and mutant lines established by the methods are useful tools to observe cellular and molecular phenomena during development. We are engaged in the National BioResource Project of Ciona, which is purposed to collect, store and provide these useful lines to researchers all over the world. A constructs for providing them to researchers upon request.

Ciona intestinalis

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