Methods for generating animals with desirable traits

Inventors

Kasinathan, Poothappillai K. • Wei, Hong • Allan, Mark F. • Faber, David C.

Assignees

Trans Ova Genetics LC

Abstract

Method for selecting mammalian cells having a genetically-desirable trait, the method comprising culturing an embryo in vitro, dividing the cells from the embryo into aliquots, subjecting the cells from at least one of the aliquots to a genetic analysis, and, based on the results of such analysis, selecting an aliquot of cells. Method for selecting mammalian cells having a genetically-desirable trait, the method comprising culturing an embryo in vitro, transferring the cultured embryo into a recipient female, collecting the embryo, dividing the cells from the embryo into aliquots, subjecting the cells from at least one of the aliquots to a genetic analysis, and, based on the results of such analysis, selecting an aliquot of cells. Method for selecting a mammalian embryo having a genetically-desirable trait, the method comprising removing one or more cells from each of a plurality of embryos, culturing the cells, subjecting the cultured cells to a genetic analysis, and, based on the results of such analysis, selecting an embryo.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a method for producing non-human mammalian progeny having a genetically-desirable trait by extracting a cell from each of a plurality of non-human embryos about 2 to 6 days after fertilization, culturing the extracted cells for about 2 to 6 days to prepare the cells for whole genome analysis, and performing whole genome analysis to identify genetic markers associated with the genetically-desirable trait. Based on the genetic results from the cultured extracted cells, an embryo from the plurality of embryos is selected when the cell extracted therefrom indicates the presence of one or more genetic markers associated with the genetically-desirable trait.

The workflow then uses the selected embryo either by transferring the selected embryo to a recipient non-human mammal for the production of progeny or by using the selected embryo for cloning to produce progeny. It further specifies that, between steps (a) and (e), either all embryos are cultured prior to the selection step (d) or only the selected embryo is cultured after the selection step (d), defining how culturing relates to genetic selection.

The partial content describes improved selection of mammalian embryos/cells for genetically desirable traits by in vitro embryo culture to expand cell numbers, dividing embryos into aliquots, performing genetic analysis on one or more aliquots including whole genome analysis and genotyping such as SNP and microsatellite panels, and selecting aliquots or embryos based on genetic results. It also describes workflows involving transferring cultured embryos into recipient females to generate cells for analysis, splitting and freezing aliquots or cell vials, and using selected cells for nuclear transfer cloning or embryo implantation.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim sets out a selection-based production workflow with six main inventive elements: embryo cell extraction, in vitro culturing for whole genome analysis, whole genome analysis to identify genetic markers, selecting an embryo, producing progeny by recipient transfer or cloning, and a timing limitation defining whether all embryos are cultured prior to selection or only the selected embryo is cultured after selection.

Overall, the independent claim covers selecting a non-human embryo based on whole genome analysis of cultured extracted cells for genetic markers associated with a genetically-desirable trait, followed by progeny production via recipient transfer or via cloning using the selected embryo, with an express restriction on whether culturing applies to all embryos or only the selected embryo after selection.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications