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Another approach to preventing common infections may be genetic engineering. Kurt A. Zuelke, a research leader in the Department of Agriculture's Biotechnology & Germplasm Lab, described research that led to a genetically engineered cow named GEM. GEM is a clone whose cells were modified to resist mastitis. Her cells create a peptide called lysostaphin that kills S. aureus bacteria. About one-third of dairy cows become infected with mastitis each year, costing the industry about $2 billion annually, Zuelke said. Vaccines and antibiotics are only minimally effective against this infection. When GEM was challenged with staph bacteria, she showed no signs of the disease. "We are very excited about this data," he said. |
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