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Anti-cancer chicken eggs produced Anti-cancer chicken eggs produced
(40 minutes later)
UK scientists have developed genetically modified chickens capable of laying eggs containing proteins needed to make cancer-fighting drugs.UK scientists have developed genetically modified chickens capable of laying eggs containing proteins needed to make cancer-fighting drugs.
The breakthrough has been announced by the same research centre that created the cloned sheep, Dolly.The breakthrough has been announced by the same research centre that created the cloned sheep, Dolly.
The Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, says it has produced five generations of birds that can produce useful levels of life-saving proteins in their eggs.The Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, says it has produced five generations of birds that can produce useful levels of life-saving proteins in their eggs.
The work could lead to a range of drugs that are cheaper and easier to make.The work could lead to a range of drugs that are cheaper and easier to make.
Professor Harry Griffin, director of the institute, told the BBC: "One of the characteristics of lots of medical treatments these days is that they're very expensive.Professor Harry Griffin, director of the institute, told the BBC: "One of the characteristics of lots of medical treatments these days is that they're very expensive.
"The idea of producing the proteins involved in treatments of flocks of laying hens means they can produce in bulk, they can produce cheaply and indeed the raw material for this production system is quite literally chicken feed.""The idea of producing the proteins involved in treatments of flocks of laying hens means they can produce in bulk, they can produce cheaply and indeed the raw material for this production system is quite literally chicken feed."
Roslin has bred some 500 modified birds. Their existence is the result of more than 15 years' work by the lead scientist on the project, Dr Helen Sang.Roslin has bred some 500 modified birds. Their existence is the result of more than 15 years' work by the lead scientist on the project, Dr Helen Sang.
But it could be another five years before patient trials get the go-ahead and 10 years until a medicine is fully developed, the Roslin Institute said.But it could be another five years before patient trials get the go-ahead and 10 years until a medicine is fully developed, the Roslin Institute said.
Anti-viral approachAnti-viral approach
Therapeutic proteins such as insulin have long been produced in bacteria; but there are some complex proteins that can only be made in the more sophisticated cells of larger organisms.Therapeutic proteins such as insulin have long been produced in bacteria; but there are some complex proteins that can only be made in the more sophisticated cells of larger organisms.
Scientists have successfully made these in the milk of genetically modified sheep, goats, cows and rabbits.Scientists have successfully made these in the milk of genetically modified sheep, goats, cows and rabbits.
The work at Roslin shows it is now possible to use chickens as "biofactories", too.The work at Roslin shows it is now possible to use chickens as "biofactories", too.
Some of the birds have been engineered to lay eggs that contain miR24, a type of antibody with potential for treating malignant melanoma, or skin cancer. Others produce human interferon b-1a, which can be used to stop viruses replicating in cells. A number of GM animals are now being used as drug factories href="/1/hi/sci/tech/5041298.stm" class="">Go-ahead for 'pharmed' goat Some of the birds have been engineered to lay eggs that contain miR24, a type of antibody with potential for treating malignant melanoma, or skin cancer. Others produce human interferon b-1a, which can be used to stop viruses replicating in cells.
The proteins are secreted into the whites of the eggs. It is a fairly straightforward process then to extract and purify them.The proteins are secreted into the whites of the eggs. It is a fairly straightforward process then to extract and purify them.
Dr Sang said the team was highly encouraged by the level of the birds' productivity, but further improvements were required.Dr Sang said the team was highly encouraged by the level of the birds' productivity, but further improvements were required.
"We're probably getting a high enough productivity if you want to make a very active protein like interferon, but not enough yet if you want to make an antibody because people need large doses of these over long periods; so one of our next challenges is to try to increase the yield in egg white," she told BBC News."We're probably getting a high enough productivity if you want to make a very active protein like interferon, but not enough yet if you want to make an antibody because people need large doses of these over long periods; so one of our next challenges is to try to increase the yield in egg white," she told BBC News.
The Avian Transgenic Manufacturing project is a joint venture between the Roslin Institute, biotechnology firm Viragen and the British biotech company Oxford BioMedica. The Avian Transgenic Project is a joint venture between the Roslin Institute, biotechnology firm Viragen and the British biotech company Oxford BioMedica.
The latest research work is to be published this week in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.The latest research work is to be published this week in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.