During embryonic development inDrosophila, rodents, and other organisms, primordial germ cells (PGCs) migrate from their points of origin to the nascent gonads, where they give rise to germ line stem cells. Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity is required for normal migration of primordial germ cells in bothDrosophilaand rodents. In this chapter, we discuss in vivo as well as in vitro methods which have been used to elucidate the role of the RTK Torso inDrosophilagerm cell migration. Included are protocols for embryo collection, fixation, and immunostaining; the dominant female sterile technique; in vitro culture and observation of PGCs; pole cell transplantation; and labeling of pole cells for in vivo observation.
