Posted on 09/13/2011 11:13:45 AM PDT by Red Badger
Black cats may be unlucky, but what about a glowing cat?
Phosphorescent felines were created by Mayo Clinic researchers to help in the fight against AIDS in both cats and humans. The cats were genetically engineered to carry a protein that defends them from infection by the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the cat version of HIV.
The cats glow because of a jellyfish gene inserted along with the FIV-resistance gene. If the genetically modified mouser glowed an eerie green, the researchers knew it was also resistant to FIV.
"One of the best things about this biomedical research is that it is aimed at benefiting both human and feline health," says Eric Poeschla, molecular biologist at the Mayo Clinic and lead author of the study published in Nature Methods.
"It can help cats as much as people," said Poeschla in a press release.
The gene that protected the transgenic tabbies from FIV was originally from a type of monkey, the rhesus macaque. Since cross-breeding a cat and a monkey was impossible (not to mention even weirder and creepier than a glowing cat) the scientists had to use genetic engineering to put the rhesus' genetic pieces into the cats.
They used a technique known as gamete-targeted lentiviral transgenesis. The tongue-twister technique involved inserting the desired gene into the cat's eggs before sperm fertilization.
The resulting kittens produced the macaque's protein, a restriction factor known as TRIMCyp, as well as the jellyfish's glow in the dark chemical, known as green fluorescent protein.
Glowing cat face Not only did the first generation of kittens come out luminescent and FIV-resistant, the new genes were passed on to their offspring. The phosphorescent fur-balls were healthy and thriving, report the Mayo Clinic scientists.
Though this technique is not a direct treatment for FIV, HIV, or AIDS, it will help researchers understand how the proteins known as restriction factors can be used in gene therapy. Since FIV is similar to HIV, the luminescent cats could shed light on treatments for both diseases.
As cool as having a glowing cat would be, don't expect to see phosphorescent felines at the pet store. Genetically engineering pets is highly controversial, and the Mayo researchers made these cats solely to help the fight against AIDS, not to be awesome additions to a Halloween party.
IMAGES:
One of the glowing cats from the Mayo Clinic study (Mayo Clinic)
The paw of a glowing cat (Mayo Clinic)
P.S.
My love to your kitty cat and your family.
Yes, I agree. Plus the kitties look cool.
Oh, that’s OK. I’m a little sensitive today because I keep getting beat up on other threads. Take care!
And to yours.
“Oh, that’s OK. I’m a little sensitive today because I keep getting beat up on other threads. Take care!”
Give them hell.
I’ll watch your back.
Oh, thanks! I’m always in trouble at FR, I’m afraid.
“Oh, thanks! I’m always in trouble at FR, I’m afraid.”
Don’t be afraid. Just give them hell. No one knows who you are.
If you lived in Panama (RP), I would give you lessons on giving jerks hell. There is no science to it.
They don’t know you and you don’t know them, so just blast away.
You may not remember, but we were once on a thread that was all about a book with a kid who went to heaven and got to meet Jesus. Remember? Not for him meeting St. Peter at the Pearly Gates - nope, straight to the top man. We were fighting off the dopes who were believing this fraud.
Do you remember that? We had some fun that day!
Do they spontaneously glow in the dark, or do they need a UV light? Or maybe they have to sit out in the sun all day to glow for a while at night?
Fascinated persons want to know.
It’s a disease in humans necessary to irradicate regardless of those sorts, and their lifestyle as they do crossover into the straight community, and infect women, and children.
I recall reading about the lady who was a victim of a degenerate rapist with AIDS. She so wanted to live, but died of the disease through no fault of her own. About twenty years ago IIRC.
Then there was the Dentist that became infected, and then passed it on to others. There are many stories over the years that confirm the necessity to irradicate the disease even though it is primarily a disease shared amongst persons of a specific lifestyle.
In Africa it’s a cultural situation as apparently wanton sexual activity is acceptable behavior, thus the disease is out of control in some areas.
Not what I want to see at 2:00am.
I think it’s spontaneous, since it came from a jellyfish gene...............
No. I can’t remember. I’m sorry.
I’m sure it was you. Anyway, you have a good day or evening!
ping
Do they have superpowers and fight crime?
(I’m guessing “yes.”)
We’ll each have to get one and find out.
(I’m agreeing with you.)
“And they walked home by the light of their faithful dog...”
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