Research team from NUS creates the world's first
semi-cloned fish
A research team from the National University of Singapore has
made history by creating the world's first semi-cloned
fish.
The three-member team created Holly, a fertile female medaka
fish.
Holly was created using a new genetic approach called semi-cloning,
which uses a new and unpredictable combination of genetic traits
from both parents similar to normal fertilisation.
Holly has gone on to produce many normal offspring that carry a
genetic marker identical to hers and her parents.
Researchers say this indicates that the technique retains genetic
stability hence providing a powerful tool for transmission of
genetic information to the offspring- similar to normal
reproduction.
The NUS team says their findings have important implications for
reproductive medicine and technology like for treatment of male
infertility.
And that the technique of semi-cloning could also lead to
breakthroughs in the genetic analysis of diseases.
Their findings will be published in the 16 October issue of Science
Journal.
--938Live