We generated immunodeficient pigs by a simple and highly efficient strategy using genome editing by ZFN-encoding mRNAs and somatic cell cloning technology. Our new approach has overcome the limitations of the homologous recombination technique traditionally used for generating gene knockout pigs, requiring complex procedures and a prolonged period of time. This pig model will greatly contribute not only to cancer and stem cell research but also to preclinical evaluations of the transplantation of pluripotent stem cells, such as iPS cells.
Researcher Information
JST CREST
Research Area: "Fundamental technologies for medicine concerning the generation and regulation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells",
Research Theme: "The generation of high-quality human iPS cells and their characterization."
Journal Information
Masahito Watanabe, Kazuaki Nakano, Hitomi Matsunari, Taisuke Matsuda, Miki Maehara, Takahiro Kanai, Mirina Kobayashi, Yukina Matsumura, Rieko Sakai, Momoko Kuramoto, Gota Hayashida, Yoshinori Asano, Shuko Takayanagi, Yoshikazu Arai, Kazuhiro Umeyama, Masaki Nagaya, Yutaka Hanazono, Hiroshi Nagashima
"Generation of Interleukin-2 Receptor Gamma Gene Knockout Pigs from Somatic Cells Genetically Modified by Zinc Finger Nuclease-Encoding mRNA."
PLOS ONE, 2013
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076478
Contact
[About Research]
Masahito Watanabe
Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research
E-mail:
http://muiibr.com/english/index.html
[About Program]
Takafumi Kawaguchi
Life Innovation Group, Department of Innovation Research,
Japan Science and Technology Agency
E-mail:
http://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/crest/en/index.html