Mice with human chromosomes!

[Ellirium113]

Science Exclusive: Mice with human chromosomes - the genetic breakthrough that could revolutionise medicine

Scientists have created genetically-engineered mice with artificial human chromosomes in every cell of their bodies, as part of a series of studies showing that it may be possible to treat genetic diseases with a radically new form of gene therapy.

"There is a big difference between moving bits of chromosomes around, as for gene therapy, and the full and complete chemical synthesis of a human chromosome. Such a project could involve design at a level that is not possible using standard molecular biology techniques," he said.

"As far as I know no one is chemically synthesising a full refactored human chromosome. If we were to propose this at Imperial we would have to get ethical approval."

The project to build 16 artificial yeast chromosomes and insert them into an empty yeast cell would break new ground. It would be the first time a synthetic "eukaryote" organism – with a complex genome composed of chromosomes as opposed to the simple strings of genes in "prokaryote" bacteria – would be constructed in the laboratory.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/exclusive-mice-with-human-chromosomes--the-genetic-breakthrough-that-could-revolutionise-medicine-8701357.html

What could go wrong? 

Wererat

[zorgon]

Brings to mind These guys from Hitch Hikers Guide to the Universe

Fook and Lunkwill



And they could Morph.... though stayed small

[zorgon]

Mad Scientists at Work...

Scientists Make Mice Immune to Radiation
October 28, 2009

In a breakthrough that could change the lives of cancer victims, pilots and nuclear power plant workers, researchers might have found a way to protect cells from radiation damage.

In a study published in the new AAAS journal Science Translational Medicine (see video below), researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the National Cancer Institute found that they could protect healthy cells from radiation injury by turning off an inhibitory pathway that regulates nitric oxide.

http://www.dotmed.com/news/story/10571