GFP? what?

[layna]

So ive just come across a post talking about this GFP thing.

What is it? and how would you know if your axie was one? :errr:

 

[XDragonGrlX]

Gfp means your axie would glow under a black light and to find out if yours is one, put a black light over him. If he glows, hes a gfp. If he don't, hes not

 

[layna]

Whats the point of that? I imagine it has no benefit to the lottle what so ever

 

[gar4016]

I'm under the understanding that the GFP characteristic arose from genetic marker experiments done on axolotls in research labs. The original creatures had the GFP gene inserted into their genetic code in a lab environment to express this fluorophore for whatever experiment was being conducted on them.

I've been curious about this for a while, does anyone know the original lab the GFP axolotls came from and what experiments were being done with them? I imagine that these genetically modified individuals probably weren't supposed to leave the lab in the first place and that's why I can't find much info on their origins.

 

[layna]

So the ones around now, are they born like that or is each individual baby injected with something?

 

[gar4016]

It's already in their genetic code so it is an inheritable trait like other color morphs.

 

[Hamamelis]

I'm pretty sure they're not legal as pets in the UK, so hopefully yours shouldn't be GFP!

 

[Mortimer]

Hey, I just came across this thread and tried to find some research on it. I think this may be the article you may be looking for:

Offield, M.F., Hirsch, N., Grainger, R.M., 2000. The development of Xenopus tropicalis transgenic lines and their use in studying lens development timing in living embryos. Development 127, 1789–1797.

I'm going to order it through interlibrary loan (it's free for me). I'll post it on here when I get it....usually it takes a day or two.

I found another related article that seems pretty interesting (see Attached). I can look for more if you want me to.

 

[layna]

Im not sure on my opinion of this, i think if they born like that now then fair enough, but they didnt start out like that, they started out going though horrid tests and injections.
Also might be a stupid question, but axies dont like light, so what scenario could you have your glow stick axie actually glowing, without making him upset?

 

[Quentari]

Anyone know if GFP is available in Australia? I've heard not but I think it'd be cool to see lol.

 

[Azhael]

No horrible injections or prodding with red hot rods. FP axolotls are created in the lab by splicing the gene on a zygote which is incapable of suffering.
FP axolotls are extremely useful in the lab and have been instrumental in very significant advances in genetics and development. As a pet, though, they are objectionable and european law prohibits them, which is great.
I´ve said it many times, exposing an animal that comes from a deep, dark lake to UV light that makes it glow from the inside, just because it´s pretty or fun, is inmoral.

 

[layna]

Hmm in my opinion im glad there not available in the EU, whats wrong with nature?!
And if you dont want one because it doesnt glow in the dark, then i dont think you should have any!

 

[Martin21114]

blue led lights also make them glow.

 

[Azhael]

I may well be wrong, but i think blue leds also emit some UV (makes sense, otherwise why should the protein fluoresce).
Regardless, it´s still making an animal glow from within, which must be stressful.

 

[Mortimer]

Attached is a MUCH better article. It is fascinating.

I have been looking for an article that mentions any detrimental effects of GFP on axolotl health, but I haven't been able to find anything yet. I feel like it can't be good for them (as others have mentioned), but I'm guessing that researchers aren't too interested in long-term effects of GFP when they kill the animals upon study completion. Does anyone have any information related to this?

Will post something if I find it.

 

[Mortimer]

Experiment that produced first trangenic (GFP) axolotls

So let me know how interested you guys are in this. After a lot of searching, I found the book that has information on the experiment that produced the first transgenic (GFP) axolotls. The book's information is below if you are interested. I just put the book on reserve so I can pick it up at my library this week if anyone would like for me to. It's fun learning more about these little guys (but I have to get back to work at some point!)...

 

[layna]

Hehe yes, you cant afford axies if you dont work (i know i spoil mine) but it is quite an interesting topic
Im just trying to get my head round WHY people want a green glowing axie. i mean, to see it glow, its got to be subjected to uv light, otherwise its pointless owning one. But i know from watching stitch that he sits in the darkest spot he can find which doesnt get light (i have a piece of paper at the side of the tank so theres no light) so i cant imagine they enjoy chilling under the light?
Or am i missing the point entirely on owning a gfp axie?

 

[Mortimer]

Hehe yes, you cant afford axies if you dont work (i know i spoil mine) but it is quite an interesting topic
Im just trying to get my head round WHY people want a green glowing axie. i mean, to see it glow, its got to be subjected to uv light, otherwise its pointless owning one. But i know from watching stitch that he sits in the darkest spot he can find which doesnt get light (i have a piece of paper at the side of the tank so theres no light) so i cant imagine they enjoy chilling under the light?
Or am i missing the point entirely on owning a gfp axie?

I don't get it, either. I just bought two 4-month-olds, and one of them happens to be GFP. I really wanted a non-GFP, but I also wanted a leucistic that was the same size as the melanoid. Honestly, I really hope the GFP guy doesn't end up with the bright green eyes, which really freak me out (but I'm pretty sure he will...I'll get used to it!).

Question---->When I look directly down at the leucistic (GFP)'s head, I swear I can see his BRAIN. (I do psychiatric research, so I am utterly intrigued by this...). Do you know if you can see this in non-GFP's (leucistic and albinos?). It is because he/she is a juvie and still kind of transparent? Is it really his/her brain?!? I'm 99.999% sure it is....

S

 

[layna]

That pearly coloured shiny thing in the top of his head?
My lighter ones have that too I've always assumed it was the brain hehe but I'm not 100% sure :wacko:
Do they get green eyes too? I didn't know that, how strange!

 

[Kaysie]

That pearly coloured shiny thing in the top of his head?

You are correct, that's the brain-case. Since the brain is enclosed by a little bit of skull, it's not the brain itself. Still, on tiny ones, you can see the optic nerves too!