Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
Tech

Scientists turn mouse transparent

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 Aug, 2014 09:38 AM
    In a major breakthrough, scientists have transformed a mouse into a "see-through" creature that can give them a clearer view of the body tissues for research.
     
    With the technique called CLARITY, the body of the mouse has been rendered transparent.
     
    The method involves a water-based gel and detergents and can reveal all of an animal's organs - from its brain to its kidneys - while keeping them intact.
     
    "This is the first study to perform whole-body clearing as opposed to first extracting and then clearing organs outside the adult body," said Viviana Gradinaru, a neuroscientist at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
     
    The earlier method for rendering individual organs transparent had been used only in the case of brains and embryos.
     
    Gradinaru and her team adapted the technique to use on whole mouse bodies.
     
    The gel allowed them to remove the fatty molecules quickly.
     
    In order to prevent tissue damage, they injected the gel and detergents directly into the rodent's bloodstream and within two to three days, organs like kidneys, heart, lungs and intestine turned transparent.
     
    Within two weeks, the entire brain had turned clear as well, Live Science reported.
     
    "We have also developed a solution for storing and imaging thick chunks of transparent tissue. Once tissue is stored in this way, scientists will be able to see the connections between cells, as well as the structures and molecules inside cells," researchers asserted.
     
    The study was published in the journal Cell.

    MORE Tech ARTICLES

    Carbon dioxide can be future fuel source

    Carbon dioxide can be future fuel source
    In a significant breakthrough, scientists have synthesised a catalyst that improves the system for converting waste carbon dioxide into syngas...

    Carbon dioxide can be future fuel source

    Facebook 'forcing' messenger app users

    Facebook 'forcing' messenger app users
    Soon, you will be "forced" to download and use Facebook messenger app as you log on to the popular social networking site....

    Facebook 'forcing' messenger app users

    India's app downloads at 9 bn by 2015: Study

    India's app downloads at 9 bn by 2015: Study
    The number of app downloads in India is expected to grow from 1.56 billion per annum in 2012 to 9 billion by 2015, says a new study...

    India's app downloads at 9 bn by 2015: Study

    Google can predict market crashes

    Google can predict market crashes
    By looking at specific topics people search for on internet, Google can tell you if the stock market is headed for a crash or not....

    Google can predict market crashes

    NASA's Mars rover breaks off-Earth roving record

    NASA's Mars rover breaks off-Earth roving record
    NASA's Opportunity Mars rover that landed on the Red Planet in 2004 now holds the off-Earth roving distance record after trekking for 40 km....

    NASA's Mars rover breaks off-Earth roving record

    Wireless cooling: Magnets to keep your fridge cool

    Wireless cooling: Magnets to keep your fridge cool
    Magnets may soon act as wireless cooling agents for your refrigerators, laptops and other devices if a theory propounded by researchers at Massachusetts...

    Wireless cooling: Magnets to keep your fridge cool