30% boost in muscle mass achieved by SKUAST scientists

SRINAGAR, 27 May 2025: In a landmark breakthrough for India’s biotechnology and livestock research, scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir) have successfully developed the nation’s first gene-edited sheep using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology.

The gene-editing targeted the myostatin gene, a regulator of muscle growth. By disrupting this gene, the researchers achieved a 30% increase in muscle mass, a trait previously seen only in select European breeds like Texel.

“This is a historic step for Indian agricultural biotechnology,” said Dr. Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST. “We edited a local Merino sheep variety’s genome to enhance muscle growth. The result is a lamb that is visibly heavier than its non-edited counterpart within just three months of birth.”

Dr. Ganai added that the DNA of the gene-edited lamb, currently three months old, will be sent to international research labs for further verification. Notably, the edited sheep contains no foreign DNA, distinguishing it from transgenic organisms and potentially easing its path under India’s biotech regulatory framework.

The research was led by Dr. Riaz Ahmad Shah, Dean of Veterinary Sciences at SKUAST, and took over four years. Dr. Shah previously led the cloning of India’s first Pashmina goat, Noori, in 2012.

“This gene-edited lamb marks a significant leap in animal biotechnology, aligning India with global advancements in precision breeding and livestock improvement,” Shah said.

Despite the genetic enhancement, the wool yield remains unaffected. “Both gene-edited and non-edited sheep produce around 2 to 2.5 kg of wool,” noted Dr. Ganai. “However, the higher meat yield from the gene-edited animal could benefit commercial sheep farming.”

This development comes weeks after India’s Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the world's first gene-edited rice varieties, also developed using CRISPR-Cas9 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Experts say the achievement could pave the way for precision livestock breeding, improve meat productivity, and enhance food security while complying with non-GMO biotech regulations.

Image credit: lifeasible.com