Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 30: Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), have created India’s first gene-edited sheep, marking a major milestone in the country’s animal biotechnology sector.
The achievement-led by the principal investigator and Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at SKUAST-K, Prof. Riaz Ahmad Shah, who previously contributed to the cloning of Noori, India’s first cloned Pashmina goat-is being hailed as a landmark demonstration of gene-editing capabilities in livestock.
The team used CRISPR-Cas9 technology, a genome-editing tool developed in 2014 and later awarded the Nobel Prize, to modify the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth.
“If manipulated correctly, this gene can lead to improved muscle mass in animals. That is what we have done, targeting a specific area,” explained Dr. Suhail Magray, a veterinary assistant surgeon and researcher involved in the project.
He said the gene editing was conducted over the past six years at the laboratory level under strict biosafety protocols, ensuring that no foreign DNA was inserted.
While earlier attempts faced multiple setbacks, the team persisted by continuously refining strategies and protocols.
“Creating a live gene-edited animal was extremely challenging. But with perseverance and support from our lead investigator, we finally succeeded,” Dr. Suhail said.
Following the birth of the lamb, DNA sequencing confirmed that the targeted edits had been successfully made.
Researchers emphasize that the breakthrough is currently intended purely for research purposes and to demonstrate technical capability.
“This is the first such experiment carried out at SKUAST-K. For now, we cannot speak about commercial benefits,” researchers added.
“But over the next few months, we expect to observe differences in weight gain between the edited and unedited animals, which will help us understand the impact of the genetic changes”, he said.
While the scientific potential is vast, researchers caution that further data collection, monitoring, and regulatory development will be essential before any broader application.
Dr. Parvaiz Ahmad Reshi, Senior Scientist and Head of the Mountain Research Centre for Sheep & Goat at SKUAST-K, called the creation of the gene-edited sheep a promising beginning.
“This is the first time such a case has occurred in the country. A twin embryo was implanted in a surrogate, and one of the twins has been gene-edited. The case is currently under experimental observation, and we are closely managing it,” he said.
He noted that over the coming years, researchers will study the differential growth between the edited and unedited sheep.
“So far, the gene-edited twin is exhibiting accelerated growth compared to the non-edited one. Both are receiving natural nourishment, and this case holds special significance for us-it marks a first in the country.”
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