Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: A sustained culture of isolated avian gonocytes is provided, as well as a method of making and using the same. A chimeric avian containing an isolated gonocyte and a transgenic avian produced using the chimeric avian are also provided. The cell and method may be employed to make, among other things, transgenic avian that produce a heterologous protein, e.g., a therapeutic protein.

Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: A transgenic chicken comprising an inactivated heavy immunoglobulin gene and/or inactivated light chain immunoglobulin gene is provided, as well as cells and targeting vectors for making the same.

Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: A transgenic chicken comprising an inactivated heavy immunoglobulin gene and/or inactivated light chain immunoglobulin gene is provided, as well as cells and targeting vectors for making the same.

Abstract: A sustained culture of isolated avian gonocytes is provided, as well as a method of making and using the same. A chimeric avian containing an isolated gonocyte and a transgenic avian produced using the chimeric avian are also provided. The cell and method may be employed to make, among other things, transgenic avian that produce a heterologous protein, e.g., a therapeutic protein.

Abstract: A sustained culture of isolated avian gonocytes is provided, as well as a method of making and using the same. A chimeric avian containing an isolated gonocyte and a transgenic avian produced using the chimeric avian are also provided. The cell and method may be employed to make, among other things, transgenic avian that produce a heterologous protein, e.g., a therapeutic protein.

Abstract: A transgenic chicken comprising an inactivated heavy immunoglobulin gene and/or inactivated light chain immuno -well as globulin gene is provided, as we cells and targeting vectors for making the same.

Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: A sustained culture of isolated avian gonocytes is provided, as well as a method of making and using the same. A chimeric avian containing an isolated gonocyte and a transgenic avian produced using the chimeric avian are also provided. The cell and method may be employed to make, among other things, transgenic avian that produce a heterologous protein, e.g., a therapeutic protein.

Abstract: A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

Abstract: Transgenes encoding exogenous antibodies are stably integrated into donor cells and are present in the somatic tissue of chimeric birds. The transgenes encode exogenous antibodies and are preferably expressed in the oviduct for collection in the egg. Tissue specificity is provided by selecting the content of the transgene accordingly. Birds whose genome is comprised of trangene-derived exogenous antibody-encoding DNA express exogenous antibodies having desirable chemical properties with increased therapeutic utility compared to antibodies derived from bacterial expression systems.

Abstract: Transgenes encoding exogenous proteins are stably integrated into embryonic stem cells and are present in the somatic tissue of transgenic or chimeric birds. The transgenes encode exogenous proteins and are expressed in any of endodermal, ectodermal, mesodermal, or extra embryonic tissue. Tissue specificity is provided by selecting the content of the transgene accordingly. Transgenic birds whose genome is comprised of trangene derived exogenous DNA express exogenous proteins with tissue specificity, and specifically express exogenous proteins in the tubular gland cells of the oviduct to concentrate exogenous proteins in egg white.

Abstract: Human antibodies are produced in transgenic chickens having functional genetic components of the human immune system stably integrated in the genome. Techniques are described to integrate unrearranged human heavy and light chain immunoglobulin loci into the genome of the transgenic chicken. The functional description of the endogenous immunoglobulin loci yields an animal whose antibody repertoire in response to antigen is fully human. In the preferred embodiment, the human immunoglobulin locus is at least as large as the native human locus and exhibits functional class switching to yield IgG isotype antibodies. In addition to monoclonal antibodies secreted from immortalized B cell populations, polyclonal antibodies may be obtained from eggs laid by the transgenic chickens of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for preparing recombinant proteins, such as antibodies, in eggs are described. The method offers advantages over existing systems for preparing recombinant proteins including high yield, low cost and compatibility with animal protection regulations. In addition, since eggs are edible food sources the recombinant protein does not have to be isolated from the egg.