Update information

March, 2024
    The following vectors have been added to our project. We look forward to your request!
  • Expression vectors for the transcription factor POUIV (or Pou4f).
  • Reporter constructs having the basal promoter of friend of GATA (or ZFPM) gene.
  • Codon optimized transposase cDNA of Minos.
December, 2023
  • The review article about the functions of nervous systems and hormones in the metamorphosis and adults of Ciona has been published. Photographs of NBRP marker lines of nervous systems are used. Click here for details.
November, 2023
  • The manuscript about the functions of Ciona CatSper protein in the sperm has been published. In this manuscript, CatSper was knocked out by Crispr/Cas9. Click here for details.
  • The manuscript describing the migration of the mesenchymal cells into the tunic during metamorphosis has been published. These mesenchymal cells become tunic cells at the adult stage. In this manuscript, the transgenic line expressing Kaede in the mesenchyme was used. Click here for details.
March, 2023
  • The manuscript investigating the regulation of the cleavage number during Ciona embryogenesis has been published. NBRP plasmids were used to overexpress genes. Click here for details.
    New transgenic lines and plasmid vectors have been added in our project. We are waiting for your request.
  • Genome editing constructs for mutating a gene encoding serine racemase.
  • Expression vectors for dominant-negative Sar1.
  • Reporter constructs.
December, 2022
  • Our plasmid vector for genome editing was used for analyzing gene functions in Starfish. Our resources are always open for the use in organisms other than Ciona. Click here for details.
October, 2022
  • The transcription factors responsible for the formation of endostyle (the organ suggested to be homologous to vertebrate thyroid gland) were reported. Our knockout vectors were used in this study. Click here for details.
July, 2022
  • Ciona exhibits metamorphosis after adhesion to substrates with its adhesive organ. The mechanism sensing the mechanical stimuli generated by adhesion, and PKD2 homolog that is involved in this process were reported. Our transgenic lines, reporter constructs and knockout vectors were used in this study. Click here for details.
March, 2022
  • Functions of D-serine and serine racemase in Ciona was reported. Our reporter constructs and knockout vectors were used in this study. Click here for details.
March, 2022 March, 2022
    New transgenic lines and plasmid vectors have been added in our project. We are waiting for your request.
  • Transgenic lines labeling gnrh neurons with Kaede.
  • Transgenic line labeling Vasopressin neurons with Venus.
  • Genome editing constructs for mutating GABA related genes.
  • Genome editing constructs for mutating a gene encoding enzyme necessary for peptide hormone maturation.
  • Genome editing constructs for mutating gnrh and vasopressin genes.
January, 2022
  • Functions of POUIV transcription factor for specifying epidermal sensory neurons have been revealed. In this report, NBRP transgenic lines expressing Kaede in the mature neurons were used. Click here for details.
October, 2021
  • Our plasmid vector for genome editing was used for analyzing gene functions in Starfish. Our resources are always open for the use in organisms other than Ciona. Click here for details.
July, 2021
  • The method culturing Ciona in a small aquarium was added on Protocol page.
March, 2021 March, 2021
  • We have started offering of the transgenic lines expressing GCaMP8 in the nervous systems at both larval and adult stages. We are waiting for your request.
March, 2021
  • TALEN vectors that target Hox13 were deposited into our project. Moreover, the basic vectors that makes the fusion of an arbitral ORF and a fluorescent protein gene were also added.
September, 2020
  • The manuscript that describes morphogenetic movement of cells during tail regression in Ciona was published. In this manuscript, our vectors for knockout and expression of fluorescent proteins were used. This manuscript used the transgenic lines expressing Kaede photoconvertible protein in larval epidermis. This line will be deposited into NBRP soon. Click here for details.
April, 2020
  • The manuscript that describes neuronal circuit regulating metamorphosis of Ciona was published. The neurotransmitter GABA induces the whole events of metamorphosis, while gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) induces tail regression as a downstream factor of GABA. In this study, many TALEN and reporter gene expression vectors of this NBRP project were used. In addition, our mutant line, tail regression failed (trf) was analyzed, to find that the causative gene of this mutant encodes prohormone convertase 2 (PC2), which is the peptidase necessary for the maturation of peptide hormones. Click here for details.
March, 2020 February, 2020
  • The manuscript that describes adult peptidergic neurons in Ciona was published. In this manuscript, the NBRP transgenic lines expressing Kaede fluorescent protein in the neurons were used. Click here for details.
February, 2020
  • The manuscript that describes the role of Hox13 in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis has been published. Hox13 is essential for the formation of orange-pigmented organ at the terminus of spermiduct. In this study, many TALEN and reporter gene expression vectors of this NBRP project were used. In addition, the transgenic lines that recapitulate expression pattern of Hox13 has been deposited in the NBRP. Click here for details.
January 28, 2020 December, 2019
  • Ciona larva possesses less than 200 neurons. With the simple nervous system, the larva regulates their swimming behavior in response to light and gravity. The manuscript describing the mechanisms of the regulation was published in Current Biology. In this manuscript, NBRP plasmids that can label specific neuron types were used. Click here for details.
March, 2019 May, 2018 March, 2018 January, 2018
  • We started to provide protocols of the experiments using NBRP resources. We hope the protocols will facilitate your researches with our materials!
  • Strain data was added.
December, 2017 November, 2017
  • The review about the mechanisms of adult organ/tissue formation and metamorphosis of ascidians was published. Many transgenic lines of NBRP are displayed in the article. Click here for details.
October, 2017 August, 2017
  • New categories, Fixed Specimen and Genotyping, were added to strain data.
  • Prices of resources were revised. (Refer to Price List for details)
  • We are now charging for Construct distribution. (Refer to Price List for details)
April, 2017 December, 2016
  • Evolution of the epidermis-specific expression of the gene encoding cellulose synthase of Ciona intestinalis was investigated with the genome editing technology. This provides a novel insight into the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer. Click here for details.
April, 2016
  • A unique regulation of cell cycle compensation in the epidermal cells of Ciona neurula embryos was described. The regulation is essential for synchronous mitoses during embryogenesis. Many novel DNA constructs were used in this study, which have been added in this database. Click here for details.
November, 2015
  • The neuronal map of the central nervous system of Ciona juvenile was described in detail. Many transgenic lines in the NBRP project were used. Moreover, this manuscript provides the first report of the optogenetics in ascidian. Click here for details.
September 9, 2015 July, 2015
  • The function of Hox10 has been revealed in Ciona intestinalis. TALENs and enhancer trap lines of the NBRP were used in this study. Click here for details.
January, 2015
  • The international rules of the nomenclature of ascidian genetic resources (including transgenes and transgenic lines) were reported. Click here for details.
November 26, 2014 September, 2014
  • Knockout of Ciona intestinalis genes with Crispr/Cas9 was reported. This method will be breakthrough for analyzing gene functions in Ciona. Click here for details.
August, 2014
  • Transgenic lines expressing fluorescent cell cycle indicator (Fucci) probes were established. The transgenic lines were utilized to analyze the functions of GnRH peptides in Ciona. NBRP has started to deliver these Fucci lines. Click here for details.
July 1, 2014
  • Prices of resources were revised. (Refer to the Price List for the charges.)
May, 2014
  • In Ciona intestinalis, a novel technology named "MASK" that specifically knock-down maternal transcripts has been developed. This method will be breakthrough for analyzing molecular mechanisms during oogenesis. NBRP has started to deal with MASK transgenic lines in which Ci-pem and Ci-mT genes are knocked down. Click here for details.
April 4, 2014
  • Prices of resources were revised. (Refer to the Price List for the charges.)
March 6, 2014 January, 2014
  • Knockout of Ciona intestinalis with TALE nuclease was reported. Tissue-specific knockout of genes is capable with this method. TALEN-mediated mutagenesis will be breakthrough of analyzing gene functions in Ciona. Click here for details.
February 12, 2013 January 10, 2013
  • Strain data was added.
  • Construct data was added.
  • Publications page was updated.
  • Germline transgenesis of Ciona intestinalis with Sleeping Beauty transposon has been achieved. Click here for details.
  • A parasite seen in the culture system of Ciona intestinalis was reported in the Journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms (vol 101, 185-195).
October 1, 2012
  • A mutant line of Hox1 gene has been published.
    This line is a powerful resource to study functions of Hox genes in Ciona intestinalis.
    This mutant line is available from our resource project.
  • ngs-news
    Fig: Hox1 mutant
  • Price List was updated.
  • Strain data was added.
  • Construct data was added.
  • Publications page was updated.
June 1, 2012
  • Gene targeting in Ciona intestinalis was reported. Click here for details.
February 6, 2012 April 4, 2011 August 19, 2010 August 2, 2010
  • A fee for strains will be charged. (Refer to the Price List for the charges.)
    Payment must be made by credit card (Diners Club, MasterCard or VISA).
  • Strain data was added.
October 30, 2009
  • Transgenic lines expressing Kaede reporter gene in neural tissues are now in available.
    These lines are useful marker for studying development and physiology of neurons.
June 4, 2009 March 4, 2009 March 2, 2009 November 6, 2008
  • Ciona intestinalis web page was opened.