Gene-edited pigs resistant to deadly viral disease created
Researchers say the work demonstrates that precise gene editing can prevent infection by disrupting a pig protein the virus relies on to make copies of itself within the cells of the pig
24 Oct 2025
Researchers have created pigs that are resistant to classical swine fever (CSF), a highly infectious and often fatal disease that poses a major threat to pig farming worldwide. Gene-edited pigs exposed to the virus remained healthy, while unedited animals showed typical signs of disease, a study found1.
The genetic change provided complete protection against infection, with no observable impact on the animals’ health or development, experts say.
Researchers say the work demonstrates that precise gene editing can prevent infection by disrupting a pig protein the virus relies on to make copies of itself within the cells of the pig.
The findings offer a promising route to bolstering disease resilience in livestock, they add.
Researchers, from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, made a targeted change to a gene responsible for producing a protein called DNAJC14, which plays a critical role in the replication cycle of pestiviruses – the virus family that includes CSF.
Studies had previously shown that altering a single amino acid in this protein blocks the virus from processing its own proteins, preventing it from reproducing in pig cells.
Cells carrying the edited gene did not support replication of classical swine fever or other related pestiviruses found in pigs and cattle.
While CSF is not currently present in the UK, it continues to cause severe outbreaks in parts of the world, with major economic consequences for farmers. Existing vaccines can reduce transmission, but controlling the disease remains difficult due to its persistence and ability to spread between wild and domestic pigs.
The team, supported by Edinburgh Innovations – the University’s commercialization service – says that gene editing could form part of a broader strategy for disease control in farmed animals, used alongside vaccination and biosecurity measures. The same genetic edit could potentially be applied to other livestock species to guard against related viruses, including those affecting cattle and sheep.
The research is published in collaboration with colleagues from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), who provided the high containment laboratories, and the University of Lubeck, Germany. The work was supported by animal genetics company Genus and by a BBSRC National Bioscience Research Infrastructure grant and facilitated by the Large Animal Research and Imaging Facility at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Simon Lillico, Research Scientist at the Roslin Institute, said, “Our research highlights the growing potential of gene editing in livestock to improve animal health and support sustainable agriculture. While previous research had identified this protein’s role in cell cultures, translating that into living animals is a major step, and one that requires the infrastructure to breed, monitor, and safely test gene-edited livestock. Our Large Animal Research and Imaging Facility allows us to gene edit and assess a variety of livestock species, with colleagues at the Animal and Plant Health Agency providing expertise and biosecure facilities for this viral challenge.”
References
1. Crooke, H., Schwindt, S., Fletcher, S.L., Lillico, S.G., et al. DNAJC14 gene-edited pigs are resistant to classical pestiviruses Trends in Biotechnology, October 22, 2025.