Transgenic animals

Introduction 

Biotechnology has helped us in developing recombinant technology and formation of  many transgenic animals that have been used to form and modify some products.

In simple terms, transgenic animals can be defined as animals that consist of modified genomes. A foreign gene is injected into the genome to alter the genome and form transgenic animals. The primary reason behind this is to develop the genetic features of the targeted animal in transgenic animals.

Transgenic animals definition 

Transgenic animals can be described as animals that have altered or modified genomes. In transgenic animals, a foreign gene is injected into the genome intending to improve the genetic traits of the targeted animal.In the beginning, genetic traits were only improved by using selective breeding methods. In this technique, selective breeding methods were taken into consideration to improve the traits of the targeted animal. However, this technique was costly and time-consuming; hence it was substituted by recombinant DNA technology. 

Transgenesis is a method where a foreign gene with all the diverse traits is initiated into the target animal’s genome. This newly introduced foreign gene is termed the transgene, whereas a transgenic is the animal whose genome is altered. Once it’s in the targeted animal, it is passed to the coming generations. Apart from being transgenic, these animals are also genetically modified organisms. 

Methods for Creating transgenic animals

There are several methods through which transgenic animals can be created. These include- 

• Physical Transfection

In the physical transfection method, the interested gene is directly injected into the pronucleus of the fertilised ovum. This method was widely used in mammals and was proven as the first method is to be highly effective. Ultrasound, electroporation, and particle bombardment are other popular physical transfection methods.

• Chemical Transfection

Gene transfection can also be performed through one of the chemical methods. While performing this method, in the presence of calcium phosphate, the targeted DNA is taken as a co-precipitate that allows the DNA uptake. The cells of mammals can take foreign DNA from the medium of culture. 

• Retrovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer

The gene gets transferred through a vector to multiply the expression changes since the retroviruses can infect the entire host cell. To inject the interested genes into the targeted animal, they are used as vectors. 

• Viral Vectors

Viruses play a significant role in transferring DNA into animal cells. These viruses have the ability to infect the host cell, replicate efficiently, and express well. 

• Bactofection

Bactofection is when the desired gene is transferred to the target through bacteria. 

Applications of transgenic animals

Let’s discuss the applications of the transgenic animals- 

• Normal Physiology and Development

As you already know, transgenic animals consist of a foreign gene, because of which the growth factors get altered. Hence, these highly affect the body’s overall functioning and facilitate the gene regulation study. 

• Study of Diseases

The primary reason behind the development of transgenic animals is to study. Further, the role played by the genes to develop certain diseases. These are of great help as they are used in the research centres for developing medicines. 

• Biological Products

Transgenic animals produce several biological products, including nutritional supplements and medicines. Several diseases like hereditary emphysema and phenylketonuria are treated using these products,

• Vaccine Safety

The transgenic animals act as the models to test several vaccines to check their reliability and safety before they get injected into human beings. 

Conclusion 

Till now, we have understood what  transgenic animals are and what they are used for. Transgenic animals are modified through biotechnology by inserting the desired DNA into the animals to be modified.Animals are modified to study about various diseases,normal physiology and development,check vaccine safety and form certain biological products.