I read an article in Science Daily.com about how scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University developed a new fluorescent protein that would allow them to visibly see the internal organs inside living animals. The protein is derived from a bacterial phytochrome that not only detects light, but it also emits light. The scientist that produced this fluorescent protein targeted the liver as their organ of choice to experiment with since the liver is hard to visualize because it has a high blood content. The concluded that their product was at it's peak on the 5th day after it was taken by the specimen. They also concluded that it was a non-toxic product.
I thought this article was very interesting since this would mean it would eliminate CT scans and MRI's, since it does not use any radiation. They can use this product to detect tumors, and other harmful subjects in a person. This product would also eliminate contrasting agents, since it is so vibrant that there would be no use for any contrasting agents.
Origional Article found at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718101208.htm
Picture from: Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
No comments:
Post a Comment