Study proves gene editing in pigs can prevent virus infection

A team of researchers from the University of Missouri (MU), Kansas State University (KSU), and biotechnology company, Genus plc, have successfully produced a litter of pigs genetically resistant to a deadly porcine virus through gene editing. Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), a coronavirus, is highly contagious and commonly infects pig intestines. The team edited the gene responsible for making the ANPEP enzyme, resulting in a litter of seven pigs with a null gene that did not produce the enzyme. When exposed to the TGEV virus, these pigs did not become infected, meaning the presence of the ANPEP enzyme is necessary for infection, and gene editing can create pigs who are resistant.