28 February 2017
Cosmos
Cosmos is a quarterly science magazine. We aim to inspire curiosity in ‘The Science of Everything’ and make the world of science accessible to everyone.
By Cosmos
Scientists have re-purposed hens so that rather than producing their own young they can be used as surrogates to lay eggs from rare bird breeds. A research team from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute utilised advanced gene-editing techniques targeting a crucial fertility gene known as DDX4. The development could assist in the breeding of endangered bird species as well as improving the production of commercial hens.
Credit: Norrie Russell, The Roslin Institute