Researchers Use CRISPR-Cas9 in Cultured Oysters

A research team led by Prof. ZHANG Linlin from the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) has used CRISPR gene editing technique in cultured oysters, providing a powerful tool for the improvement of productive traits in oysters and other aquaculture species.

The researchers conducted CRISPR-mediated knockout by electroporation in Crassostrea gigas angulate with β-tubulin as a marker gene, detecting long fragment deletions in the target gene. They also observed mosaic mutations including defective cilia and decreased motility in the first-generation larvae. In this study, the researchers co-injected more than two small guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to generate long fragment deletions, which significantly increased the editing efficiency and simplified the mutant genotyping workflow.

"The application of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing technology in marine mollusks still faces challenges, either in gene functional or genetic engineering breeding. This study can provide a useful reference for a widespread application of gene editing technology in the mollusks in the future," said Prof. ZHANG.

For more details, read the article in the Chinese Academy of Sciences Newsroom.