Utah State University

With the Growing Global Demand for Sustainable and Efficient Food Production, This Project Aims to Address Key Challenges in Livestock Farming to Improve Disease Resistance and Welfareby Advancing Gene Editing and Genetic Engineering Technologies. the Research Focuses on Using Prime Editing, a Precise and Innovative Genome-editing Tool, to Introduce Beneficial Traits Such as Disease Resistance and Hornlessness in Livestock Animals, Specifically Sheep and Cattle. by Optimizing These Tools, the Project Seeks to Reduce or Eliminate the Risks Associated With Unintended Genetic Changes, Thereby Making Genetic Engineering Safer and More Applicable for Agricultural Use. These Advancements Will Not Only Improve Livestock Health and Productivity But Also Enhance Animal Welfare by Reducing the Need for Invasive Management Practices, Such as Dehorning. the Outcomes of This Project Are Expected to Contribute to Global Food Security and Sustainability by Enabling More Ethical Animal Management and More Efficient Livestock Production.