Researchers at the University of Missouri studied a way to make chickens produce medical proteins in their eggs. Eggs already help harvest proteins such as antibodies, and scientists want to make this process more reliable.
They addressed a problem called epigenetic silencing, when an added gene can turn off over time. To avoid that, the team used CRISPR to place a new gene segment at a chosen spot in the genome. They attached a green glowing marker so they could see if the gene stayed active.
After many months and rounds of cell division the marker still glowed. The result may allow creation of a stable line of modified chickens that consistently lay eggs with useful proteins, and researchers are working with partners to choose helpful changes.
Difficult words
- researcher — person who studies or investigates scienceresearchers
- epigenetic — changes in gene activity without DNA change
- silence — when a gene becomes inactive over timesilencing
- genome — all genetic material in an organism
- antibody — protein made by the body to fight germsantibodies
- marker — visible sign attached to a gene to show activity
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Discussion questions
- Do you think making chickens produce medical proteins is a good idea? Why?
- What is one benefit of making chickens lay eggs with useful proteins?
- Would you eat eggs from these modified chickens? Why or why not?
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