Use of Genome Editing Techniques to Produce Transgenic Farm Animals

Recombinant proteins are essential for the treatment and diagnosis of clinical human ailments. The availability and biological activity of recombinant proteins is heavily influenced by production platforms. Conventional production platforms such as yeast, bacteria, and mammalian cells have biological and economical challenges. Transgenic livestock species have been explored as an alternative production platform for recombinant proteins, predominantly through milk secretion; the strategy has been demonstrated to produce large quantities of biologically active proteins. The major limitation of utilizing livestock species as bioreactors has been efforts required to alter the genome of livestock. Advancements in the genome editing field have drastically improved the ability to genetically engineer livestock species. Specifically, genome editing tools such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have lowered efforts required to generate genetically engineered livestock, thus minimizing restrictions on the type of genetic modification in livestock. In this review, we discuss characteristics of transgenic animal bioreactors and how the use of genome editing systems enhances design and availability of the animal models.