The chicken as a model for large-scale analysis of vertebrate gene function

Key Points The already well-established role of the chicken as an important experimental model is being strengthened by the development of genomic resources and the forthcoming sequencing of its genome. The chicken DT40 cell line and easily-accessible embryos provide unique tools for testing gene function. The high frequency of sequence targeting in chicken DT40 cells offers unrivalled precision for the analysis of cell autonomous gene function. Chicken embryos are readily accessible and an increasing number of sophisticated tools — such as morpholinos and RNA interference — that allow genetic manipulations are being developed. The current availability of chicken genomic resources — such as the high density linkage map, the radiation hybrid mapping panel, the BAC library and an EST database — will allow fuller exploitation of this model in the future, with particular emphasis on the testing of gene function. The chicken has been an important experimental system for developmental biology, immunology and microbiology, having led to many fundamental discoveries. The increase in genomic resources, easy access to the embryo and the application of RNA interference mean that it will be easy and quick to use chick embryos to screen the function of many genes during embryonic development. So, it seems likely that the chicken will increasingly be the system of choice for many vertebrate biologists who are interested in gene function.