Genetic Stocks of the Axolotl, Ambystoma Mexicanum

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AbstractThis award provides renewed funding for the Indiana University Axolotl Colony, a self-sustaining, breeding colony of the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). The Colony is a genetic stock center dedicated to the supply of genetically well-characterized axolotl embryos, larvae, and adults to laboratories throughout the United States and abroad. The IU Colony currently provides 50,000 embryonic, larval, juvenile and adult animals to researchers and educators each year.The axolotl, a neotenic salamander, is a non-mammalian model system with a number of features that are advantageous in experimental studies of vertebrate developmental biology, neuroscience, and immunology. These include large oocytes that display lampbrush chromosomes; large, polyspermic eggs that are suitable for nuclear transplantation and that can be easily manipulated to obtain haploids or polyploid embryos; large, accessible embryos that tolerate microsurgery well; large individual nerve cells; and the ability to regenerate limbs and organs.