Riaz Ahmad Shah with India’s first gene edited sheep. | Photocredit: –
After several attempts, a team of researchers from Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (Skuast) achieved a remarkable achievement by creating the first gene-edited sheep of the country. After this breakthrough, the University plans to extend its gene-working efforts to other breeds and species.
The university was able to carry out gene processing after non -repellent research of approximately four years.
The team of researchers led by Riyaz Ahmad Shah used CRISPR technology to carry out the gene processing.
Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice -Kanselier van Skuast, said Kashmir line That the university produced the first gene-edited sheep from India with the help of CRISPR tool, which works as a microscopic scissors to cut DNA.
He said CRISPR is the most popular tool and is used in more than 78 percent of the studies.
“The gene-edited LAM is wearing a modification in the ‘myostatin’ gene, which plays a key role in regulating muscle development,” said Ganai.
Ganai mentioned the performance as the inaugural performance of India in sheep. He said the gene work was carried out after dozens of failed attempts.
“We could not succeed in the first three and a half years of the project, but we didn’t give up,” said the Vice Chancellor. The gene-edited lamb was born three months ago, but the announcement was stopped to ensure that the intended genetic changes had been successfully occurred.
“We wanted to be absolutely certain before we became public,” said Ganai.
He said that the institute is planning to produce more animals processed by genes, because further refinement and precision can only be achieved through continuous experiments and extra births.
“Initially we were skeptical, but with more experiments we have faith in achieving consistent success,” he said.
He said they would continue to work with other breeds and species.
Gene processing includes the use of advanced molecular tools such as CRISPR/CAS9, Talens and ZFNs to make targeted changes to the DNA of an organism. In contrast to conventional genetic manipulation, which often introduces foreign genes, gene processing scientists enables to immediately change or correct specific genes in the genome.
Earlier in 2012, the university had produced the world’s first cloned Pashmina Goat Noori. The goat died in March 15, 2023.
Published on May 30, 2025
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