CM – Genome editing in farm animals: chickens and pigs with integrated genetic scissors

Click here to log in with

or

Forgot Password?

Learn more

April 20, 2021

from the Technical University of Munich

Researchers at TUM have shown a way to efficiently investigate molecular mechanisms of disease resistance or biomedical problems in farm animals. Researchers are now able to introduce specific gene mutations into a desired organ or even correct existing genes without creating new animal models for each target gene. This reduces the number of animals needed for research.

googletag.cmd.push (function () {googletag.display (‘div-gpt-ad-1449240174198-2’);});

CRISPR / Cas9 is a tool for rewriting DNA information. With this method genes can be inactivated or specifically modified. The CRISPR / Cas9 system consists of two components.

The gRNA (guide RNA) is a short sequence that specifically binds to the DNA segment of the gene to be modified. The Cas9 nuclease, the actual « gene scissors », binds to the gRNA and cuts the respective section of the target DNA. This cut activates repair mechanisms that inactivate gene functions or contain specific mutations.

« The animals created provide the gene scissors, the Cas9 protein, together with them. All we have to do is create the guide RNAs in order to preserve animals with specific genetic characteristics, « explains Benjamin Schusser, Professor of Reproductive Biotechnology at TUM. « The first generation of these animals lasted about three years. Cas9 can now be used in all stages of animal development, as every cell in the body has the Cas9 protein permanently. We were able to use this technique successfully on chicken embryos as well as on live pigs. »

The healthy chickens and pigs produced by the researchers thus have the Cas9 nuclease in all organs examined. This is particularly useful in biomedical and agricultural research.

Pigs are used as disease models for humans because their anatomy and physiology are much more similar to humans when compared to mice (currently a widely used disease model). Therefore, a modified pig can help better understand the mechanism of carcinogenesis in humans. Potential new treatments for humans can also be tested in animal models.

« The presence of Cas9 in the cells significantly accelerates and simplifies the processes, » says Angelika Schnieke, Professor of Animal Biotechnology at TUM. « Animals equipped with Cas9 make it possible, for example, to specifically inactivate tumor-relevant genes and to simulate the development of cancer. »

With Cas9 pigs and chickens, researchers can test which genes are directly involved in the formation of traits such as disease resistance in the animal . « The mechanism of the CRISPR / Cas9 system can also be useful for combating infections with DNA viruses. Initial cell culture experiments have shown that this already works for the avian herpes virus, » says Prof. Schusser.

Prof Schnieke notes: « Our Cas9-expressing chickens and pigs represent an innovative resource for genome editing in the biomedical and agricultural sciences, but these animals are also available to other research groups. Therefore, efficient genome editing in live animals has the potential to to significantly advance biomedical and agricultural research.  »

Thank you for taking the time to send your valued opinions to the Science X editors.

You can be sure that our editors closely monitor any feedback sent and take appropriate action. Your opinions are important to us.

We do not guarantee individual answers due to the extremely high volume of correspondence.

Your email address will only be used to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the address of the recipient will be used for any other purpose.
The information you entered will appear in your email message and will not be stored in any form by Phys.org.

Receive weekly and / or daily updates in your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never pass your data on to third parties.

This website uses cookies to support navigation, to analyze your use of our services and to provide content from third parties.
By using our website, you confirm that you have read and understood our privacy policy
and terms of use.