Gene-targeting in Drosophila validated

Until recently, the use of reverse genetics by gene targeting, the method used to great effect in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mouse, was glaringly absent in Drosophila. This deficiency no longer exists because of recent publications by Rong and Golic outlining successful gene targeting in Drosophila melanogaster. Their most recent report answers several doubts about the general feasibility of gene targeting in Drosophila. However, the very low targeting frequency at the locus raises new concerns about the general utility of the method.