Prospects in Transgenic Technology 2020

Dear colleagues,

With the advent of gene editing technologies, the ability to manipulate genomes has become amenable to nearly all species. Gene modification protocols that lead to new ways of generating genetically engineered model systems are being developed at an exponential pace, with new techniques reported almost daily. With this technology, we may be able to easily generate models of diseases affecting both humans and other animals, increase food production worldwide, and perform gene therapy to alleviate disease, among the many possibilities. However, success should be based on an understanding of when to use newer vs. established technologies. Scientists should be aware of both expected and unexpected consequences of the particular method chosen for gene modification. Analyses and assessments that take into account such consequences are critical for acceptance by society, as is an ethical approach to determining what uses such technology can have.

This Special Issue of Genes welcomes original research manuscripts and review papers that address the science and ethics of gene modification. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• New methods and protocols using gene editing technology;
• Research describing previously unforeseen caveats with gene modification;
• Gene modification research in unconventional animal models or exotic species;
• The use of gene editing to enhance agrarian species for food production;
• Gene editing used for gene therapy;
• Ethical considerations associated with gene modification, particularly in humans;
• How gene editing affects the 3Rs of animal use;
• Methods of public outreach and education used for gene modification acceptance.

Dr. Wojtek Auerbach
Dr. Jan Parker-Thornburg
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.