Detecting Expression Patterns of Wnt Pathway Components in Nematostella vectensis Embryos

The anthozoan cnidarian Nematostella vectensis has emerged as a key model system for evolutionary developmental biology studies, and this animal' usefulness will grow with the recent sequencing of its genome. In particular, work done in Nematostella is providing insight into the role of the Wnt pathway in the evolution of pattern formation. This chapter describes methods to maintain and spawn these animals, and detailed protocols to detect expression patterns of Wnt pathway components in Nematostella eggs and embryos.