# Chicken embryonic stem cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $331,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Chickens and their embryos provide a valuable research model for the study of developmental biology and
human diseases. However, their application has been greatly limited due to the lack of tools to genetically
modify chickens and other avian species. Recently, we have developed methods for the derivation of germline
competent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from chickens. The availability of germline competent chicken ESCs
opens up a new avenue for producing genetically engineered chickens. In this project, we propose to establish
an ESC-based platform for the efficient generation of chicken germline chimeras (Aim 1). We will also optimize
methods for the generation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) from chicken ESCs. These chicken ESC-derived
PGCs will be used to produce genetically modified chickens (Aim 2). In Aim 3, by taking the advantage of the
chicken ESC culture condition we have established, we will develop methods for the generation of induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from chicken embryonic fibroblasts. Successful completion of these three aims
will provide the avian research community with a powerful genetic toolkit for the production of transgenic and
gene-targeted avian species and for the conservation of endangered avian species.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10719082
- **Project number:** 1R01GM151373-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Qilong Ying
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $331,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-07-19 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10719082

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10719082, Chicken embryonic stem cells (1R01GM151373-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10719082. Licensed CC0.

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