Pig models for testing gene‑editing tools
Resource: Swine Somatic Cell Gene Editing Testing Center
This program makes and shares specially bred pigs carrying human-like genes so researchers can try out new gene-editing treatments aimed at human diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182511 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The center breeds, imports, and validates pigs that carry human versions of disease genes, and it cryopreserves and distributes their tissues, embryos, or animals to researchers. It maintains breeding colonies and produces cohorts of animals so experiments can be run reliably. The team also runs secure BSL-2 facilities, manages biosecurity, and provides technical support to scientists using these models. By supplying validated, humanized pig models, the resource helps researchers learn whether genome edits change disease features before moving toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with inherited or genetic conditions that researchers aim to correct—such as certain metabolic disorders, muscular dystrophies, or other single-gene diseases—are the kinds of patients who might eventually benefit.
Not a fit: People without genetic diseases or with conditions not modeled in these pigs are unlikely to see direct benefits from this grant's work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this resource could speed development of safer and more effective gene-editing treatments by letting researchers test therapies in pig models that closely mimic human disease.
How similar studies have performed: Large-animal models like pigs have previously helped advance gene and cell therapies in several areas, though creating fully humanized pig models for many genes is still a growing and specialized effort.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prather, Randall S — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Prather, Randall S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.