Recombinetics

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Recombinetics is a St. Paul, Minnesota-based bio-engineering company. [1] The company was founded in 2008, and has since raised $31 million from private investors. Mark Platt is the CEO. [2]

Products

It is known for developing genetically engineered hornless cattle, and is working on growing human organs and tissues in pigs. [3] While it created a cow that does not grow horns, during the creation process it also added genes from bacteria that could produce antibiotic resistance. [4] This occurred despite the CEO claiming that they had proof there were no other effects than the horns not being present. [4] Due to the bacterial DNA, it is unlikely that the animals will get FDA approval, and a number of them have been killed and the bodies burned. [4]

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Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms with identical or virtually identical DNA, either by natural or artificial means. In nature, some organisms produce clones through asexual reproduction. In the field of biotechnology, cloning is the process of creating cloned organisms (copies) of cells and of DNA fragments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genetically modified organism</span> Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering methods

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The exact definition of a genetically modified organism and what constitutes genetic engineering varies, with the most common being an organism altered in a way that "does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination". A wide variety of organisms have been genetically modified (GM), from animals to plants and microorganisms. Genes have been transferred within the same species, across species, and even across kingdoms. New genes can be introduced, or endogenous genes can be enhanced, altered, or knocked out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genetic engineering</span> Manipulation of an organisms genome

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the modification and manipulation of an organism's genes using technology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. New DNA is obtained by either isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using recombinant DNA methods or by artificially synthesising the DNA. A construct is usually created and used to insert this DNA into the host organism. The first recombinant DNA molecule was made by Paul Berg in 1972 by combining DNA from the monkey virus SV40 with the lambda virus. As well as inserting genes, the process can be used to remove, or "knock out", genes. The new DNA can be inserted randomly, or targeted to a specific part of the genome.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breeding back</span> Artificial selection

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xenotransplantation</span> Transplantation of cells or tissue across species

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of purposes including producing drugs, enhancing yields, increasing resistance to disease, etc. The vast majority of genetically modified animals are at the research stage while the number close to entering the market remains small.
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genetically modified mammal</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genome editing</span> Type of genetic engineering

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">CRISPR gene editing</span> Gene editing method

CRISPR gene editing is a genetic engineering technique in molecular biology by which the genomes of living organisms may be modified. It is based on a simplified version of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 antiviral defense system. By delivering the Cas9 nuclease complexed with a synthetic guide RNA (gRNA) into a cell, the cell's genome can be cut at a desired location, allowing existing genes to be removed and/or new ones added in vivo.

A human chimera is a human with a subset of cells with a distinct genotype than other cells, that is, having genetic chimerism. In contrast, an individual where each cell contains genetic material from a human and an animal is called a human–animal hybrid.

References

  1. Schaust, Sam (1 May 2017). "Recombinetics Raises $7M, Hints at Bigger Funding Efforts Ahead". Twin Cities Business. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  2. "Recombinetics Announces New Chief Executive Officer". www.businesswire.com. 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  3. Pettitt, Jeniece (9 September 2017). "These pigs are helping researchers find cures for cancer, and could someday grow human organs". CNBC. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Regalado, Antonio. "Gene-edited cattle have a major screwup in their DNA". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 31 August 2019.