Development of endogenous retrovirus (PERV)-free strains utilizing characteristics of Vietnamese native pigs

Principal Investigator (Affiliation)	Dr. KIKUCHI Kazuhiro Associate group leader, Animal Model Development Group, Division of Biomaterial Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)
Co-investigator	Senior Researcher TANIGUCHI Masaaki Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), NARO Senior Researcher MIYAZAWA Kohtaro National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), NARO Senior Researcher DANG-NGUYEN Thanh Quang Animal Model Development Group, Division of Biomaterial Sciences, NARO
Research Participant	Senior Researcher ARAKAWA Aisaku Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), NARO Researcher OKAMURA Toshihiro Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), NARO Senior Researcher MIYAZAKI Ayako National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), NARO
International Coordinator	Undecided
Research Institutions in Japan	National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
Cooperating Organization in Japan
Partner Country	Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Research Institutions in Vietnam
Cooperating organization in Vietnam	National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) /Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Support Organization
General Description of the Research Project	Regenerative medicine research using iPS cells in human, as also as elimination of the donor shortage, pigs are expected to be used due to the organ size and physiological similarity. However, pigs carry a large number of gene copies derived from endogenous retrovirus (PERV) in their genomes, and in order to utilize the transplant organs generated in pigs for humans, the problem of infectious diseases derived from PERV is needed to solve. We found that there are native breeds with a low copy number of PERV in Vietnam. In this research project, we will develop a PERV low copy pig line using Vietnamese native pigs and develop technology for further establishment of PERV-free pigs. In addition, we will establish technology to reduce the occurrence of infectious diseases in conventional pig breeding facilities to safely increase these genetic resources. As domestic institutions, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) will carry out the research with the cooperation of the Vietnam National Institute of Animal Science and the Facility of Veterinary Medicine of Vietnam National University of Agriculture.
Links	National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) SATREPS Project JICA技術協力プロジェクトサイト JICA　ODA見える化サイト
Project Updates	(2021/3/8) REV_Highlight 2020