PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Lechable, Marion
AU  - Jan, Alexandre
AU  - Duchene, Axel
AU  - Uveira, Julie
AU  - Weissbourd, Brandon
AU  - Gissat, Loann
AU  - Collet, Sophie
AU  - Gilletta, Laurent
AU  - Chevalier, Sandra
AU  - Leclère, Lucas
AU  - Peron, Sophie
AU  - Barreau, Carine
AU  - Lasbleiz, Régis
AU  - Houliston, Evelyn
AU  - Momose, Tsuyoshi
TI  - An improved whole life cycle culture protocol for the hydrozoan genetic model <em>Clytia hemisphaerica</em>
AID  - 10.1242/bio.051268
DP  - 2020 Nov 15
TA  - Biology Open
PG  - bio051268
VI  - 9
IP  - 11
4099  - http://bio.biologists.org/content/9/11/bio051268.short
4100  - http://bio.biologists.org/content/9/11/bio051268.full
SO  - Biology Open2020 Nov 15; 9
AB  - The jellyfish species Clytia hemisphaerica (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) has emerged as a new experimental model animal in the last decade. Favorable characteristics include a fully transparent body suitable for microscopy, daily gamete production and a relatively short life cycle. Furthermore, whole genome sequence assembly and efficient gene editing techniques using CRISPR/Cas9 have opened new possibilities for genetic studies. The quasi-immortal vegetatively-growing polyp colony stage provides a practical means to maintain mutant strains. In the context of developing Clytia as a genetic model, we report here an improved whole life cycle culture method including an aquarium tank system designed for culture of the tiny jellyfish form. We have compared different feeding regimes using Artemia larvae as food and demonstrate that the stage-dependent feeding control is the key for rapid and reliable medusa and polyp rearing. Metamorphosis of the planula larvae into a polyp colony can be induced efficiently using a new synthetic peptide. The optimized procedures detailed here make it practical to generate genetically modified Clytia strains and to maintain their whole life cycle in the laboratory.This article has an associated First Person interview with the two first authors of the paper.