Biotech Updates

Experts Reveal Success of CRISPR in Improving Fish

November 29, 2023

CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool has solved several problems in the agriculture sector. The same potential for addressing aquaculture problems is being attributed to CRISPR-Cas9, especially because of its cost-effectiveness, ease of designing and delivering the construct, and minimal off-target modifications. Researchers from Central Agricultural University, together with partners in India, explored the current applications of CRISPR-Cas9 in fish and published it as a chapter in Biotechnological Tools in Fisheries and Aquatic Health Management.

According to the researchers, promising results have been reported about using CRISPR-Cas9 to modify growth-associated genes in vital aquaculture species, including red sea bream, channel catfish, and common carp. Disease resistance and stress tolerance have been achieved through gene editing in grass carp, channel catfish, and zebrafish. Flesh quality and pigmentation were enhanced through this technology by some fish species and crustaceans. Knockout studies have also revealed the functions of several genes which were previously unexplored.

Read more from Biotechnological Tools in Fisheries and Aquatic Health Management.


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