London, Oct 24 ANI: Scientists in New
Orleans have created a
cat that may look like a normal tabby in light but glows in the dark. The six-month-old
cat, named Mr
Green Genes, has been genetically modified as part of an experiment at the
Audubon Centre for
Research of Endangered Species in New
Orleans that could lead to
treatments for conditions like cystic fibrosis. Betsy
Dresser, the centre's director, said that Mr.
Green Genes is the first fluorescent
cat in the
United States and probably the world,
reports the
Telegraph. It was created so that researchers could learn whether a gene could be introduced harmlessly into the feline's
genetic sequence to create what is formally known as a transgenic
cat. If so, it would be the first step in a process that could lead to the development of ways to combat
diseases via gene therapy.
Dresser said that the gene, which was added to Mr.
Green Genes' DNA when he was created, has no effect on his
health. Dr.
Martha Gomez, a
veterinarian and staff scientist at the center, said that
cats are ideal for this
project because their
genetic makeup is similar to that of
humans. To show that the gene went where it was supposed to go, the researchers settled on one that would glow.
Leslie Lyons, an assistant professor of
population health and
reproduction at the
School of
Veterinary Medicine at the
University of
California,
Davis, who is familiar with the
Audubon center's
work, said that the gene "is just a marker." "The glowing part is the
fun part," she said. ANI
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