Austen A. Barnett

Abstract Background: Many animal lineages utilize Pax6 transcription factors during eye development. Within Arthropoda, evidence suggests that Pax6 genes are necessary for the specification of eyes in myriapods, crustaceans, and insects. However, recent data have argued that Pax6 genes lack a role in the development of the eyes in Chelicerata (=arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders).

Abstract Studies of traditional model organisms like the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster have contributed immensely to our understanding of the genetic basis of developmental processes. However, the generalizability of these findings cannot be confirmed without functional genetic analyses in additional organisms. Direct genome editing using targeted nucleases has the potential to transform hitherto poorly-understood organisms into viable laboratory organisms for functional genetic study.