Application of advanced biotechnology tools in Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

In Veterinary Medicine, biotechnology plays a significant role in the improvements of animal health, nutrition and genetics. Advances in biotechnology have remarkably produced genetically modified animals for food production and biomedical research. Biotechnological tools applied in veterinary medicine include genetic engineering, gene editing, gene therapy, sterile insect techniques and bioinformatics. Genetic engineering led to the production of genetically modified animals (transgenics), which are tolerant to specific infectious agents, and are beneficial for human health. Gene editing technologies such as clustered regulatory interspersed short palindromic repeats/associated protein 9 (CRISPRs/Cas9) have been used to detect and eliminate possible genetic disorders in animals and biological systems. Gene therapy is utilized in cancer treatment and treatment of cystic fibrosis. Areas, where biotechnology has been applied for the advancement of animal health, include molecular diagnostics (PCR, RT-PCR, nanoPCR, biosensors, proteomics, nanotechnology), production of virus vectored vaccines and DNA vaccine technology. This review, therefore, provides an overview of recent advances and applications of biotechnology in veterinary medicine.