The invention provides a splice control module for sex-specific splicing and expression of a gene of interest. In certain embodiments, a dsx-based splice control module is used to express a lethal gene in an insect that is spliced in a sex-specific manner to impart lethality to female insects but not male insects.

Provided are genetically edited animals, particularly dairy animals such as cows or heifers, that lactate without having first been pregnant. Also provided are methods and reagents for creating genetically modified animals. Specifically provided are genetically edited dairy animals that have a histidine to arginine substitution in the prolactin receptor gene.

Livestock animals and progeny thereof comprising at least one edited chromosomal sequence that alters expression or activity of a somatostatin receptor (SSTR) protein are provided. Livestock animal cells that contain such edited chromosomal sequences are also provided. The livestock animals have improved growth performance and weight gain. Methods for producing livestock animals with increased growth performance are also provided.

Methods of infecting a mosquito with Wolbachia and controlling a mosquito population with the Wolbachia-infected mosquito are provided herein. The method includes microinjecting a suspension including Wolbachia cells and buffer into a target mosquito embryo to produce a Wolbachia-infected G.sub.0 female. The suspension including Wolbachia cells and buffer is obtained by homogenizing a donor insect embryo, tissue, and/or whole body infected with Wolbachia to form a homogenate and the Wolbachia cells are separated from the homogenate.

The present disclosure relates to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) editing agents, and their use in preparing DNA-edited cells and birds. The present disclosure further relates to gene-edited or genetically modified avians and gene-edited or genetically modified avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) for producing gene-edited or genetically modified avians (birds) that can serve as surrogate hosts for donor PGCs. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing avian strains that can produce viable embryos and offspring, in both sexes, and for their subsequent use as surrogate hosts for donor PGCs.

The present invention relates to the production of avian induced pluripotent stem cells from non-pluripotent somatic cells, including embryonic fibroblasts and adult somatic cells. In this method, avian (including quail or chicken) somatic cells are reprogrammed into a state closely resembling embryonic stem cells including the expression of key stem cell markers alkaline phosphatase, etc. by transfecting/transducing the non-stem cells with genes (preferably using a non-integrating vector as otherwise described herein or alternatively an integrating vector, such a lentiviral vector, retroviral vector or inducible lentiviral vector, among others) which express at least nanog, Lin28 and cMyc. In preferred aspects of the invention, the transfected/transduced vectors express nanog, Lig28, cMyc, Oct 4 (POU5F1 or PouV), SOX2 and KLF4. The induced stem cells which are produced contribute to all 3 germ layers, the trophectoderm and in certain aspects, the gonad in chimeric offspring.

A genetically modified livestock animal, and methods of making and using the same, the animal comprising a genetic modification to disrupt a target gene selectively involved in gametogenesis, wherein the disruption of the target gene prevents formation of functional gametes of the animal. Animals that create progeny with donor genetics, and methods of making and using the same. Cells, and methods of making and using the cells, with a genetic modification to disrupt a target gene selectively involved in gametogenesis.

Non-human animals and offspring thereof comprising at least one modified chromosomal sequence in a gene encoding a CD163 protein are provided. Animal cells that contain such modified chromosomal sequences are also provided. The animals and cells have increased resistance to pathogens, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The animals and offspring have chromosomal modifications of a CD163 gene. The invention further relates to methods of breeding to create pathogen-resistant animals and populations of animals made using such methods.

The present invention demonstrated a Cre-loxP based cofilin-1 transgenic animal model to address the pathophysiological role of over-expressed cofilin-1 on systemic development.

Compositions and methods for genetically modifying felines or feline cells are described. The compositions and methods are useful for knocking out all or a portion of a Fel d 1 gene from a feline genome. Feline cells and organisms in which all or a portion of the Fel d 1 gene is knocked out are also described. The compositions and methods may include reagents and procedures for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genomic editing of Fel d 1.