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Scientists use GM sperm cells to produce transgenic animals

        Washington: A Japanese-US team has reported the successful creation of transgenic animals using sperm genetically modified and grown in a laboratory dish. In their study, researchers from Fukui Prefectural University in Obama, Japan, and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) describe the innovative techniques they used to produce genetically modified zebra-fish using sperm cells grown under laboratory, or "in vitro," conditions. "To our knowledge, this is the first time that sperm cells have been cultured entirely in vitro and used to produce a transgenic animal. It was a unique challenge that required creative solutions," said Shawn Burgess, Ph.D., an investigator in NHGRI's Genome Technology Branch and a co-author of the study. The findings may also prove helpful to researchers exploring pre- fertilization strategies for human gene therapy, thus allowing preventive treatment for certain genetic disorders, Dr Burgess said.
Jan 27, 2004

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