Gene insertion: current progress and long-term goals.
The methods for artificial gene insertion in the germline of the fly Drosophila and mice are now well established. In mice, cloned genes or retroviruses can be inserted by manipulation of newly fertilized ova, and intensive research is aimed at understanding the basis for regulation of gene expression using this technique. Manipulation of early embryos in the chicken is much more difficult. Therefore, we are concentrating on the use of avian retroviruses as vectors for gene insertion in this species. Some candidate genes are those controlling resistance to specific disease agents, those regulating humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and genes for immunogens that could be regulated to be expressed only after the development of immune competence, thus becoming an inherited vaccine. Basic research in these areas should lead to methods that will complement standard genetic selection for increased disease resistance in commercial chickens.
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D000818:Animals; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000662:veterinary*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D010641:Phenotype; D011200:Poultry / Q000235:genetics*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*