EMBRYO MANIPULATION OF THE GERMPLASM

The development of the avian embryo is used to demonstrate the potenti al for future advances in genomic strategies. A mathematical model is derived to indicate the most useful approaches for using chimeras to a ccess the chicken genome. A review of the way that germ cells are proc essed through the gonad highlights the need. for such an analysis of c ell kinetics and indicates that the right rudimentary gonad may also b e a useful area for research into germ cell and stroma signalling. Stu dies on the B cells of the immunological system show that antibody div ersity is achieved by gene splicing and that these cells are capable o f inducing homologous recombination in a wide range of chromosomes. Th is property opens up a whole strategy for chromosome manipulation that may be particularly useful in exploiting the properties of the avian microchromosome system.