We have been developing genetic engineering technologies in the common marmoset, a small non-human primate species, and have succeeded in creating the world's first genetically modified marmoset in 2009. In 2016, we succeeded in developing immunocompromised marmosets by target gene knockout using genome editing technology. This immunodeficient marmoset demonstrates symptoms very similar to patients with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.
Using these genetic engineering technologies, various genetic disease models could be created and new therapies and drugs could be developed.
On the other hand, marmosets require a much longer breeding time compared to mice, establishing laboratory animal colonies of genetically modified marmosets and propagating it to many researchers requires approximately 10 years. Therefore, we need new technology to accelerate the breeding of marmosets. Recently, it has been shown that mechanisms of fertilization and embryogenesis between humans and mice are different and that development of humans and of non-human primates is similar. Better understanding of embryogenesis in humans will be useful for treating congenital diseases in the future, however it is difficult to conduct research using human embryos or gametes because of ethical issues. Therefore, we are currently conducting research to understand the embryogenesis of primates and to overcome the issue of breeding rate.

Immunodeficient marmoset models created by genome editing technology