The goal of this meeting will be to identify and prioritize research resources that are broadly needed by the Xenopus Community.
This meeting will be the first step in drafting of the next Xenopus Community White Paper. The previous White Papers (available here) were very successful, leading to funding for resources such as the National Xenopus Resource (US stock center), X. laevis genome sequencing, and the Xenopus ORFeome project, to name only a few. We very much need your help to ensure that the next White Paper effort is as successful as the previous ones. We will hold the meeting immediately after the Xenopus conference, on the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 13th. The meeting will be held in the same venue as the Xenopus Conference. Currently, we have allocated a two hour slot for this meeting, but we anticipate that the discussion may take longer than that. If possible, we would encourage you to stay an additional night to complete this important task. To do so, please contact the hotel for an additional nights reservation. A complete program for this PI/Resources meeting will be forthcoming.

Xenopus 2012 Conference Website

Please set aside September 9 - 13, 2012 for the 14th International Xenopus Conference. The meeting will be held in the south of France.

full description

Xenopus is the leading vertebrate model for the analysis of gene function in development. The combination of lineage analysis, gene-knockout strategies, experimental manipulation of the embryo, and genomic/bioinformatic techniques, makes it ideal for studies on the molecular control of embryo patterning, morphogenesis and organogenesis. Moreover, recent advances in Xenopus genomics offer new opportunities to integrate computational strategies with experimental approaches. The course combines intensive laboratory training with daily lectures from recognized experts in the field. Students will learn both emerging technologies and classical techniques to study gene function in Xenopus development. An important element will be the informal interaction between students and course faculty.

Technologies to be covered will include: oocyte and embryo culture, lineage analysis and experimental manipulation of embryos, time lapse imaging of morphogenesis, gain and loss of function analysis using mRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides, whole mount in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, genomics and bioinformatics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, preparation of transgenic embryos, and use of Xenopus tropicalis for genetic analyses. The Cell and Developmental Biology of Xenopus course is designed for those new to the Xenopus field, as well as for those wanting a refresher course in the emerging technologies. The course is open to investigators from all countries.

Lecturers for the 2012 course included: Heithem El-Hodiri, Michael Gilchrist, Robert Grainger, Raymond Keller, Mustafa Khokha, Peter Klein, Jonathan Slack, John Wallingford, Lyle Zimmerman

This course is supported with funds provided by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.