In order to better test the function of specific genes, and to follow the dynamic of the cells involved in NED we aim to establish transgenic colonies of B. schlosseri, a technical challenge that will open new avenues for functional study and high-resolution live imaging of budding. We already produced preliminary data supporting the feasibility of the task, i.e. mastering of the in vitro fertilization, zygote microinjections, and expression of reporter RNA. We recently managed to express the photo-convertible protein Kaede under a Botryllus ubiquitous promoter (EEF1-alpha) and we aim to use this tool for live-imaging. Photo-conversion of budding tissues and cell will then allow to follow cell behaviors (proliferation, migration, EMT, etc.) and finely characterize budding dynamics. The data obtained from B.schlosseri, together with the differentially expressed transcriptomic datasets have the potential to help to infer the mechanisms of budding in the other species.