Pet Cloning

Cloning is a complex process that allows one exactly copies the genetic, or inherited, traits of an animal (the donor). It helps the pet owner create an exact genetic copy of the existing animal, essentially an identical twin. Powered by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology, BioVenic is now providing somatic cell preservation and pet cloning services to extend the desired companionship and life-long amity.

Cloning and SCNT Technology

SCNT is a technique for cloning in which the nucleus of a somatic cell (donor) is transferred to an enucleated metaphase-II oocyte (host). This reconstructed oocyte is activated to continue embryonic development. Embryos resulting from this procedure can result in the production of a live, genetically identical individual after transfer into a recipient.

Most cloning today uses SCNT technology to generate a new individual, genetically identical to the somatic cell donor. It's important to remind that cloning does not manipulate the animal's genetic makeup nor change an animal's DNA. So, they are similar to identical twins, only born at different times. Please notice that a clone is not a mutant, nor is it a weaker version of the original animal.

Fig.1 Cloning processes (dog as an example).

Cloning Stories

Since first demonstrated in sheep in 1995, SCNT technology has been utilized to clone several mammalian species, including cat, dog, cow, mouse, pig, rat, horse, etc., demonstrating the robustness of this technology.

Fig.2 Timeline of key events in mammalian cloning and our featured services. (Suk, 2007)

Processes of Cloning

Cloning involves several steps requiring specialized equipment and a highly-trained technical team to guarantee success.

• Donor cell collection and culture in vitro
  The donor cells (original from pet tissues) were dispersed and isolated by trypsinization and seeded in the plate with optimal culture medium upon received.
  
  
• Enucleation of recipient metaphase II oocytes
  Oocyte enucleation is a critical procedure for SCNT and cloning. The main steps of oocyte enucleation are still manually operated methods, which need practiced skills and experience.
  
  
• Nuclear transfer and fusion
  Nuclear transfer introduces a single nucleus of a donor cell into the perivitelline space of an enucleated oocyte, followed by plasma membrane fusion with a direct current electric shock. Another option when introducing nuclei into oocytes is to perforate the membrane and deliver the nuclei directly into the ooplasm by using a piezo-controlled pipette holder.
  
  
• Reconstructed oocyte activation, and embryo transfer to recipients
  Oocyte activation is a fundamental step for the success of animal cloning. Activation consists of artificially stimulating the oocytes to initiate embryonic development. Then, selected morula-and blastocyst-stage embryos are transferred to synchronized recipients and allowed to develop to term.
  
  

Cloning in BioVenic

BioVenic is elevating the hope of pet owners alike by our pet cloning technology to realize the dream of life-long accompany. Our commitment to obey and exceed the highest ethical and scientific standards is demonstrated by our outstanding pet cloning service.

If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more information.

Reference

1. Suk, J.; et al. Dolly for dinner? Assessing commercial and regulatory trends in cloned livestock. Nature Biotechnology. 2007, 25(1): 47-53.