Kashmir University Researchers Create India's First Gene Edited SHEEP

Kashmir University Researchers Create India’s First Gene Edited SHEEP

Discover India's first gene edited sheep, developed by SKUAST-K using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This breakthrough enhances muscle mass by 30% without foreign DNA, promising a new era for livestock productivity and sustainable farming.

Context: Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, have created India’s first gene-edited sheep.

India’s First Gene Edited SHEEP

Utilised CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth.
Result: 30% increase in muscle mass in sheep.
- Myostatin disruption leads to higher muscle development, similar to the Exel breed (a European sheep breed known for high muscle mass).

Can be used to:
- Improve meat yield in livestock.
- Create disease-resistant animals.
- Assist in twinning and other reproductive advantages.

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