Highest goat cloning efficiency achieved/ Birth of eight new transgenic goats in Royan institute

Eight new transgenic goats with simplified method of cloning were born at Royan Institute for Biotechnology Research in Iran. Cloning techniques usually require advanced equipments and microscopes but we were able to accomplish the cloning with a simplified method in a basic laboratory, said Dr. Nasr Esfahani, principle investigator of this project.

Researchers in Royan Institute have tried to improve the cloning protocols. It is important to improve the efficiency of the current cloning procedures in order to facilitate the production of recombinant proteins and organs for xenotransplantation (Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another.[1]). In cloning techniques, the nucleus of egg is replaced with donor cell and transfer of resulting embryo can lead to the birth of animal. In this method, chance of embryos transferred to the uterus for birth is 1 to 10 percent.

In Royan institute, after optimizing the method of cloning and transfer of 50 embryos, nine pregnancies were positive, which is highest reported rate in the world. Dr. Esfahani continued: "In March 2013, of nine positive pregnancies, eight transgenic animals were born and they are all in perfect health".

In addition to production of pharmaceutically important protein in goats’ milk, Royan Institute for Biotechnology Research has launched its new initiative for the production in transgenic animals of vital organs for transplantation in human body.

Source: http://isna.ir/fa/news/92012307740

Naghmeh Abiri, Iran Biotechnology Information Center (RBIC)