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Glowing Green Monkeys: Glow in the Dark Gene Aids Research

by Tina Kells | May 27, 2009 at 01:41 pm

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In the first successful transgenic modification scientists in Japan have created glow in the dark monkeys that turn fluorescent green when exposed to untraviolet light. The glowing green monkeys, marmosets to be correct, are the first known to naturally pass on the genetic alteration to their offspring.

It is believed that the glowing green monkeys will aid in research into debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's disease. The glowing green tone comes from green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the tissue of the monkeys. The genetic alteration causes the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to flourish when the monkeys are exposed to UV light.

The "transgenic" marmosets are the first known to pass on the modification to their children.

Future genetic modifications to primates could aid efforts to cure such diseases as Parkinson's.

Now, Erika Sasaki of the Central Institute for Experimental Animals in Japan, and her colleagues, have introduced a gene into marmoset embryos that allows them to build green fluorescent protein (GFP) in their tissues.

The protein is so-called because it glows green under ultraviolet light in a process known as fluorescence. The protein has become a standard in biology and genetic engineering, and its discovery even warranted a Nobel prize.