Gene Editing in Marine Organisms
With Dr. Nipam Patel
A knockout success.
From the lab of Dr. Nipam Patel
Research teams at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) achieved the first gene knockouts in various marine species, including crustaceans and cephalopods. They used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to knock out a pigmentation gene in squid, removing color from eyes and skin. In crustaceans, they knocked out numerous genes controlling the patterning of body segments and legs.
The ability to knock out a gene to test its function is an important step toward developing diverse species as genetically tractable organisms for biological research, and critical for understanding the diversity of life on Earth.
Since 1888, the MBL has brought the world’s top scientists together in a quest to better understand biology, biodiversity and the human condition.
Developing squid embryos
Confocal images (ZEISS LSM 780) of developing embryos of the Longfin Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii). The embryos sit atop a ball of yolk. At the very top of the embryo, the fins are beginning to grow out of the animal’s mantle. The developing arms and tentacles with suckers extend out over the surface of the yolk. Nuclei are in blue, cilia form tufts at the surface of the animal, and the developing nervous system is highlighted by actin staining. (Credit: MBL Embryology Course)
Squid and cuttlefish
Late stage embryos and hatchlings of the Longfin Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) and the dwarf cuttlefish (Sepia bandensis). Embryos at the beginning and end of the movie were imaged by confocal microscopy (ZEISS LSM 780). The hatchling shown in the middle of the movie displays flashing chromatophores which allow the animal to actively alter its color. (Credit: Maggie Rigney, MBL Embryology Course, and Nipam Patel)
Embryo of the longfin inshore squid
Confocal images (ZEISS LSM 780) of developing embryos of the Longfin Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii). The embryos sit atop a ball of yolk. At the very top of the embryo, the fins are beginning to grow out of the animal’s mantle. The developing arms and tentacles with suckers extend out over the surface of the yolk. Nuclei are in blue, cilia form tufts at the surface of the animal, and the developing nervous system is highlighted by actin staining. (Credit: MBL Embryology Course)
Late-stage embryos of the longfin inshore squid
Dissecting microscope image of late-stage embryos of the Longfin Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii). The animals have started to swim by pumping water through their siphons. Orange pigment has started to accumulate in their eyes and their chromatophores. (Credit: Nipam Patel)
“Evolution has already solved every problem. It’s a matter of finding the organism that solved it.”
As a researcher and director, Dr. Nipam Patel helps foster an atmosphere of collaborative discovery at MBL. His focus is on the evolution of arthropod body patterning, regeneration of the germline, and structural coloration in butterflies. Dr. Patel has authored over 130 scientific publications.
Experience more breakthroughs and download Dr. Nipam Patel’s full research report.
Connect with us to go deeper on this research and receive updates on future breakthroughs.
Join us live
Locate a ZEISS event near you and discover the power of possibilities.
