Scientists at the University of Missouri tested a way to make chickens reliably produce useful medical proteins in their eggs. Eggs already serve to harvest helpful proteins such as antibodies, but random gene insertion can fail over time.
The team tackled epigenetic silencing, which can turn off an inserted gene across generations. Using the gene-editing tool CRISPR, they placed a new gene segment at a specific genome location and added a green fluorescent marker to show activity. They chose a spot tied to an enzyme that cells always need, reasoning the inserted segment would remain active there.
After months and many cell divisions the reporter genes still glowed, indicating the genes had not been silenced. The success suggests a path to create a stable line of genetically modified chickens. The researchers are working with other scientists and industry partners to decide which modifications would be most useful. The study appears in Poultry Science and was funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Difficult words
- epigenetic — Changes in gene activity without DNA sequence change
- silencing — Turning off a gene so it stops working
- insert — Put a gene or item into a placeinsertion, inserted
- gene-editing — Changing DNA or genes on purpose
- genome — All genetic material of an organism
- marker — A visible sign used to show activity
- reporter gene — A gene that shows when another gene is activereporter genes
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Discussion questions
- How could using eggs to harvest medical proteins help patients or doctors in your country?
- Do you think scientists should work with industry partners to choose genetic modifications? Why or why not?
- What concerns might people have about creating a stable line of genetically modified chickens?
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