Vg1 and other RNA localization processes. Use of Xenopus oocytes for cell and molecular biology. Fertilization and dorso-ventral axis formation. Sperm entry point, grey crescent, cortical rotation, the dorsal blastopore lip, and the dorso-ventral axis. Dorsalization pathway involving GSK3 betacatenin etc .
Ultraviolet irradiation causes ventralization.
The rescue of UV effect, and double axis formation, provide assays for identifying dorsalization genes. Cytoplasmic determinants and cell interactions . The morphology of normal early Xenopus development. Evidence for the need for cell interactions. Dissociated cells and blastomere separations.