g1g5
New member
Whilst studying for my undergraduate degree, I read an article in Developmental Biology which gave me more than a little bit of a laugh.
http://www.ambystoma.org/AGSC/article.pdf
It essentially outlines the production of GFP expressing strain of Axolotl.
Aequorea victoria Green fluorescence protein GFP is a biological product with a fluorescence emission peak of 509nm (green), resulting from an excitation peak of 395nm (blue). It is a common analytical tool widely used as expression label in molecular biology.
The concept of GFP expressing advanced macroorganisms is not a new one, GFP mice has existed since 1998 [1]. However the thought of a glowing axolotl must bring a smile to any amphibian hobbyist, and has been highly significant in the study of cell fate in developmental biology. A factor unique to the axolotl is its unique regenerative capability, being able to regrow entire lost limbs, an ability it retains into adulthood [2]. This axolotl tm is therefore of some interest in the study of tissue generation.
Anyway enjoy.
[1]
A.-K. Hadjantonakis, M. Gertsenstein, M. Ikawa, M. Okabe, and A. Nagy. Generating green fluorescent mice by germline transmission of green fluorescent ES cells. Mechanism of Development 76, 79-90 (1998).
[2]
I suspect this is linked to Axolotl's neoteny trait. Does anyone know if adult american tiger salamander could regrow limbs?
http://www.ambystoma.org/AGSC/article.pdf
It essentially outlines the production of GFP expressing strain of Axolotl.
Aequorea victoria Green fluorescence protein GFP is a biological product with a fluorescence emission peak of 509nm (green), resulting from an excitation peak of 395nm (blue). It is a common analytical tool widely used as expression label in molecular biology.
The concept of GFP expressing advanced macroorganisms is not a new one, GFP mice has existed since 1998 [1]. However the thought of a glowing axolotl must bring a smile to any amphibian hobbyist, and has been highly significant in the study of cell fate in developmental biology. A factor unique to the axolotl is its unique regenerative capability, being able to regrow entire lost limbs, an ability it retains into adulthood [2]. This axolotl tm is therefore of some interest in the study of tissue generation.
Anyway enjoy.
[1]
A.-K. Hadjantonakis, M. Gertsenstein, M. Ikawa, M. Okabe, and A. Nagy. Generating green fluorescent mice by germline transmission of green fluorescent ES cells. Mechanism of Development 76, 79-90 (1998).
[2]
I suspect this is linked to Axolotl's neoteny trait. Does anyone know if adult american tiger salamander could regrow limbs?