Researchers succeed in creating the first genetically engineered mansupials

News by Shuchi Girdhar

Japan, Jul 22: Most of us have seen the image of a kangaroo baby in the pocket of the mama kangaroo. Kangaroo babies grow up in the pouch of the parent because kangaroos and other marsupials(the group of mammals that Kangaroos belong to) lack an active placenta (a temporary organ that supports the baby). They finish their development in the parent’s pouch or belly.

Why use genetic technology?

Researchers use gene technology to try and understand the role of each individual gene or specific gene sequences. One of the technologies used to do this is the CRISPR technology, which got the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2020.
CRISPR is like a genetic pair of scissors. Selected parts of the gene sequence are ‘cut out’. The effects of this cutting are observed by scientists to understand the functions of the sequence that was cut out.

Why marsupials, and why opossum in particular?

Marsupials share some traits with humans – they can get skin cancer by exposure to radiation. Another interesting feature is that marsupial newborns who have spinal injuries can heal themselves. Reasons like these make their study interesting for scientists.
The opossum is the only marsupial whose entire gene sequence has been documented. Scientists also prefer the opossum because its size and breeding characteristics are similar to those of rats and mice.

What did the scientists do?

The gene that is responsible for pigmentation was removed. This modified gene sequence was injected into marsupial eggs using a special technique.
Some of the offsprings born after this injection did, indeed, lack pigmentation in the body. This modification was also inherited by their next generation. Therefore, this is the first successful gene editing in marsupials.