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Chickens and pigs with built-in genetic scissors
Genetically engineered animals provide important insights into the molecular basis of health and disease. Research has focused mainly on genetically modified mice, although other species, such as pigs, are more similar to human physiology. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now generated chickens and pigs in which target genes in desired organs can be efficiently altered.
Researchers at the TUM have demonstrated a way to efficiently study molecular mechanisms of disease resistance or biomedical issues in farm animals. Not only are researchers now able to introduce specific gene mutations into a desired organ or even correct existing genes without having to create new animal models for each target gene, but also this development reduces the number of animals required for research.
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IMAGE: Scientists at TUM have created chickens and pigs with integrated genetic scissors. This can be used at all stages of the animals development. They have already demonstrated applications in chicken. view more
Credit: A. Heddergott / TUM
Researchers at the TUM have demonstrated a way to efficiently study molecular mechanisms of disease resistance or biomedical issues 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 required for research..
CRISPR/Cas9 enables desired gene manipulations