The cow’s milk produces insulin.
In a potential solution to the persistent shortages of insulin, a breakthrough occurred in Brazil where a brown bovine became the first transgenic cow capable of generating human insulin in her milk, marking a significant milestone in medical science.
Led by Matt Wheeler, a professor of animal sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the research team collaborated with scientists from the University of São Paolo to develop this groundbreaking cow. Their findings, detailed in a report published on March 12 in Biotechnology Journal, outlined the process of creating the insulin-producing cow.
The innovative approach involved inserting a segment of human DNA containing the proinsulin coding sequence into the nuclei of ten cow embryos. This genetic modification was targeted to prompt expression solely within the mammary gland, leveraging nature’s efficiency in protein production.
Following implantation into the uteri of normal cows in Brazil, one transgenic calf was successfully born. As she matured, researchers stimulated her to produce milk, initially through artificial insemination and later with hormonal intervention.
Remarkably, the milk from this transgenic cow not only contained detectable levels of human proinsulin but also insulin itself, surpassing expectations. While purification and extraction processes are necessary for practical application, each liter of milk held promising amounts of insulin.
Wheeler envisioned the potential impact of scaling up production, illustrating the significant yield possible from a herd of transgenic cows. With further refinement and the eventual introduction of transgenic bulls to facilitate breeding, the aim is to establish a purpose-built herd capable of meeting global insulin demand.
Anticipating the efficiency of such a system, Wheeler speculated on the prospect of a relatively modest-sized herd yielding enough insulin to satisfy national or even global requirements within a short timeframe. This approach offers a promising alternative to conventional insulin production methods, potentially streamlining supply chains and addressing critical shortages.
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