Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:40
Functional Cloning Using a Xenopus Oocyte Expression System
Published on: January 30, 2016
Cloning pigs: advances and applications
1PPL Therapeutics Inc., 1700 Kraft Drive, Suite 2400, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA. ipolejaeva@ppl-therapeutics.com
Reproduction (Cambridge, England). Supplement
|May 1, 2002
Summary
Somatic cell nuclear transfer enables genetic modification in livestock, bypassing the need for embryonic stem cells. This technology offers significant opportunities for xenotransplantation and disease models in pigs.
Area of Science:
- Animal Biotechnology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mouse embryonic stem cells are crucial for genetic modification in research.
- Similar technology is lacking for domestic animals, hindering genetic applications.
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) offers an alternative for livestock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development and challenges of SCNT in pigs.
- To highlight the potential of SCNT for genetic manipulation in livestock.
- To discuss applications in xenotransplantation and disease modeling.
Main Methods:
- Review of somatic cell nuclear transfer techniques in pigs.
- Analysis of gene targeting applications in livestock.
- Discussion of challenges in SCNT for domestic animals.
Main Results:
- SCNT bypasses the need for embryonic stem cells in livestock.
- SCNT provides opportunities for genetic manipulation in pigs.
- Potential for generating pigs for xenotransplantation and disease models.
Conclusions:
- SCNT is a key technology for advancing genetic modification in livestock.
- Gene targeting in pigs via SCNT has significant biomedical applications.
- Further development of SCNT techniques is crucial for domestic animals.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Reproductive Cloning
Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
01:27Reproductive Cloning
Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
01:14Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...
01:08Cloning of Dolly the Sheep
The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual, the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter telomeres than other...