how the transgenic zebrafish was "created" - (Oct/15/2005 )

Without using any biological terms, explain to someone who has no biology background (for example, either one of your grandparents, or any elderly neighbour) how the transgenic zebrafish was "created." If you have to use a biological term, you must first explain its meaning and definition using words, analogies, or graphics that could be easily understood by someone without any biology background. While you are to make the explanation simple, it must also be accurate.

Is this a homework assignment?

yes it is an assignment. but i really do not know how to start..

dude its your homework.....
U can start by reading up stuff off the web...tell us what u think and we will help you figure out what u think is right or wrong..


p..

tryto find sthg about the nuclear replacement technique...

In zebrafish they create transgenic strains by DNA microinjection of linearize plasmid DNA containing a specific promoter expressing the fluorescent protein. Injection of DNA in single-cell stage embryos creates a low level of integration of the DNA construct into the genomic DNA of the host (many times in chromosomal instability regions). If the DNA integrates in the cell lineage that produced the germ-line gamates, then the will pass on the gene with their chromosomal DNA as a "transgene".

There is someone working on zebrafish embryonic stem cells for transgenesis (just like in mice) but I hear through the grape vine that the technique is not perfected yet. Tap, can you really get integration of DNA into the host by injecting into one-cell stage? Is that not efficient enough to be practical? I also assume from your post that they couldn't use homologous recombination to target it, eh?