Why in News?
India’s first gene-edited sheep, a Kashmir Merino, was born in Srinagar using CRISPR-Cas9. Developed by SKUAST, it marks a leap in livestock biotechnology and muscle-growth research.
Description:
- India’s first gene-edited sheep was born in December 2024 at SKUAST, Srinagar.
- Led by Prof. Riyaz Ahmad Shah and his team.
- The sheep is a Kashmir Merino breed, known for high-quality wool and meat.
- Gene-editing success was confirmed through gene sequencing.
- CRISPR-Cas9 technology was used.
- Targeted the myostatin (MSTN) gene, which limits muscle growth.
- Editing increased muscle mass by around 30%.
- Aims: improve meat production, disease resistance, and climate resilience.
Kashmir Merino Sheep:
- Developed in 1960 at Sheep Breeding & Research Farm, Reasi (Jammu).
- Crossbred from local breeds (Poonchi, Gaddi, Bakerwal) and exotic breeds (Australian Merino, Delaine).
- Dual-purpose breed: used for both wool and meat.
- Productivity is 3–4 times higher than local breeds.
- Well adapted to harsh climate and local disease conditions.
Milestones in Indian Animal Biotechnology:
- SKUAST earlier cloned the world’s first Pashmina goat, ‘Noori’, in 2012.
- Noori lived 11 years (2012–2023); created via somatic cell nuclear transfer.
- Gene-edited sheep embryo was lab-created, then transferred to a surrogate mother.
- Team failed three times before succeeding on the fourth try.
- The sheep weighed 3.15 kg at birth.
Future Plans:
- Next target: FGF5 gene (Fibroblast Growth Factor 5) to improve wool fibre quality.
- Long-term goal: Transgenics – combining cloning and gene-editing.
- Vision: produce therapeutic proteins (e.g., anti-cancer drugs) in animal milk.
- Animals may serve as pharmaceutical bio-factories in the future.
Broader Implications:
- Important for addressing rising meat and milk demand in India.
- Marks a shift from traditional crossbreeding to precision gene-editing.
- Complements India’s development of gene-edited rice.
- Demonstrates India’s growing capability in genomic and agri-biotech research.
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