Imagine enjoying your favorite carp dish without the hassle of dozens of tiny bones. For decades, carp lovers have praised the fish for its tender texture and rich protein, but struggled with its more than 80 Y-shaped intermuscular bones (IBs).
That changes today. Researchers from the Chinese mainland have unveiled a new gene-edited variety of Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) called "Zhongke No. 6" that's entirely free of IBs. Announced this Tuesday by a team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences led by Academician Gui Jianfang, Zhongke No. 6 promises faster growth, robust health, and greater sustainability.
Here's how they did it:
- Mapping the genome: The team decoded the carp's complex genetic map to pinpoint runx2b, the "architect" gene responsible for IB formation.
- Molecular scissors at work: Using CRISPR/Cas9, they snipped out runx2b at the embryonic stage, preventing the tiny spines from developing while preserving the main skeleton.
Beyond being bone-free, Zhongke No. 6 shines in three key areas:
- High yield: Optimized for faster, larger growth.
- Disease resistance: Stands up in dense aquaculture environments.
- Feed efficiency: Requires less feed to produce the same amount of protein.
This breakthrough caps a six-year effort under the CAS program "Precision Seed Design and Creation." As global demand for sustainable protein soars, innovations like bone-free carp could reshape aquaculture and dining tables worldwide. Will this be the next big catch?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
