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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Research News & Studies => Topic started by: spacebarsux on September 12, 2011, 02:17:52 pm

Title: Let's "Dance in the Dark"
Post by: spacebarsux on September 12, 2011, 02:17:52 pm: No, I don't mean Lady Ga Ga..........Apparently Glowing cats may aid HIV Research

In a study published today, scientists explain how they have used a new technique to inject cat egg cells with genes for fluorescence and for resistance to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a cat equivalent of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Cats that have successfully received the genes will glow under UV light, indicating that they have both the fluorescence and FIV-resistance genes. While scientists have performed modifications of this type in other species, this is the first time the method has been used successfully in a carnivore.

Although the cats were successfully given a gene that has been found to fight FIV in a lab, the primary goal of this research was to explore a method of producing genetically modified cats that could be used in the future for biomedical research, and not directly to further AIDS research.

While this future research in cats might eventually help us to develop treatments for HIV and AIDS, at present this study does not indicate a way to perform human gene therapy to prevent or cure HIV. There have already been very limited trials of gene therapy in a few patients with HIV, which provide directly relevant evidence on the matter.

Source and other Links:-

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/09September/Pages/hiv-research-glowing-gm-cats.aspx

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/12/glow-in-the-dark-cats-aids_n_958415.html

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthcare/prevention/story/2011-09-12/Glow-in-the-dark-cats-against-AIDS-other-diseases/50367732/1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14882008
Title: Re: Let's "Dance in the Dark"
Post by: leatherman on September 12, 2011, 04:23:35 pm: wow! the glow-in-the-dark cats, mice and even tarantulas have been around for a while now (since 2007 or so). It's crazy to see them used in HIV research now. ::)

cats - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGQNztpOnDw
mice - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFTyUpw2Zgw
tarantulas - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkpIOGPkyAI
Title: Re: Let's "Dance in the Dark"
Post by: WillyWump on September 12, 2011, 05:15:00 pm: Glowing cats, that's cool.

But when will they make cats that shoot lasers?

-WIll
Title: Re: Let's "Dance in the Dark"
Post by: leatherman on September 12, 2011, 05:51:18 pm: Quote from: WillyWump on September 12, 2011, 05:15:00 pm
But when will they make cats that shoot lasers?
when Celing Cat wills it to be so :D

(http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2011/4/3/8e861375-7282-4dd1-b276-58db12ba27bb.jpg)
Title: Re: Let's "Dance in the Dark"
Post by: Ravhyn on September 15, 2011, 05:48:48 pm: I was really happy when I heard the news. I know, I'm a dork. The first thing I thought of was "Oh! I wont need to carry a flashlight around with me anymore if we have a thunderstorm" and my brother looked at me and said "you'll be like a super hero with glow in the dark powers"

although i know we probable wont glow :( but it would be a nice bonus..."ta-da heres your cure, and you'll never have to worry about getting hit walking down the side of the road in the middle of the night again"

I know.....I'm being overly optimistic, but its hard not to smile seeing those little kitties glowing in the dark, and thinking of how cool it would be to glow.
Title: Re: Let's "Dance in the Dark"
Post by: elf on September 15, 2011, 08:52:58 pm: I've seen some glowing fish in a pet shop, but they are expensive. :D