Genome-Edited Chickens and Ducks Produced Using Non-PGC Method

Scientists from the Ohio State University found a way to develop genome-edited chicken and duck lines without having to use primordial germ cells (PGCs). The new method offers a new option for researchers to conduct avian genome editing without conducting technically difficult procedures of the conventional method that is currently only used for chickens.

The new method produced genome-edited chicken and duck lines by injecting an adenovirus containing the CRISPR-Cas9 system into avian blastoderms, specifically in the subgerminal cavity that transduced blastodermal cells including PGCs. Two generations of chicken offspring and one generation of genome-edited duck were hatched from the avian genome-edited germ lines. Further investigations found no off-target mutations in the lines.

The study provides a model for non-conventional avian genome editing that can be used for different avian species and not just chickens.

Learn more from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.