🐔 Chicken modified with CRISPR technology is resistant to influenza

• Scientists have developed flu-resistant chickens.
• Pioneering use of CRISPR genetic technology.
• The first step towards reducing the spread of bird flu

A step forward for chicken health

In a huge advance for chicken health, researchers, led by Helen Sang from the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, have… It has been used successfully Genetic technology CRISPR, to develop chickens with enhanced resistance to bird flu.

The team edited a specific chicken gene, ANP32A, using CRISPR, a technology that allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA. ANP32A, when unchanged, enables avian influenza to thrive in chickens.

The inspiration came from another gene, ANP32B, which is less susceptible to influenza virus infection due to a slight difference in its structure. The resulting genetically modified chickens showed improved resistance to influenza infection upon exposure.

The results are encouraging, but obstacles remain

Although this is significant progress, the journey is not over yet. CRISPR-edited chickens are not completely immune to influenza, especially when exposed to larger doses of the virus. Additionally, there is concern that this genetic modification may contribute to the development of new influenza variants, which may be better at infecting humans.

Through detailed observations, the researchers noticed mutations in the viruses grown in the modified chickens. These mutations suggest that the influenza virus may be able to adapt to genetic changes.

The next step involves identifying and making additional small genetic changes that increase resistance to influenza while ensuring safety in chickens and humans.

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