Teodoro, the first genetically modified lamb in Spain, is born

They called him teodoroForks The first genetically modified lambNamed after Teodoro Álvarez, a shepherd from Aldea Real who passed away this year, and his grandfather Pablo Bermejo Álvarez, the veterinarian who carried out the experiment.

Teodoro was born in Spain, and news researchers about his birth. Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute of Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), started this experiment to “study”. Reproductive problems in farm animals. and create a model to understand Conception in the human race.»

Actually, Teodoro has one. A change in a gene that may be involved in fertilization.The scientists modified their DNA to specifically remove a protein that “may be involved in the recognition of sperm by the egg” and cause infertility.

«Genetically modified animal models are essential to advance our knowledge Any biological processIncluding those involved in reproduction – explained Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez, one of the researchers who led the research team with Priscilla Ramos-Ibias together with Julián Santiago Moreno’s group – these animals attack genetic mutations that eliminate or modify a specific gene. In this way, we can unequivocally know their function in a biological process.”

The group applied to Teodoro system CRISPRA genetic engineering approach that allows changes to be made to the DNA of cells. It was first used primarily in related experiments. wheelHowever, in light of its complexity, “there are some processes that are markedly different between mice and other mammals (including Ramotes-Ibeas) and therefore cannot be studied with transgenic mice.”

The INIA-CSIC research team uses CRISPR technology to create these types of modifications in cow and sheep embryos. The products are completely in vitro.Investigate the function of genes involved in different processes of developmental biology. These processes can be studied in vitro without the need to create transgenic animals, and to date no embryos have been transferred to complete gestation in sheep. However, because the study of fertilization mechanisms requires obtaining gametes from transgenic animals before five months (the gestation period of a sheep is approximately 147 days) Two embryo transfers were performed. The gene was modified and one of the two pregnancies came to term.

A mutation that eliminates the formation of genetic products was specifically generated using in vitro generated embryo microinjection techniques combined with CRISPR technology. Spain: Rabbits It did not produce the ZP4 protein and helped identify the fundamental role of this protein in protecting the embryo during pre-implantation development.

For scientists, Teodoro’s birth is a result that contributes to the advancement of fetal development, medical research and knowledge. human reproductionHowever, the debate over the ethics of using DNA manipulation technologies on animals remains highly topical, as to date they are very expensive, risky, and have very low success rates and high risks for the animals themselves. The agency did not reveal whether Teodoro’s condition or the genetic modification would cause problems in his quality of life, although it did highlight the importance of this birth based on scientific research.