Jellyfish lights up tumours
Fluorescent protein modified to catch cancer cells
(ANSA) - Rome, July 13 - Italian researchers have genetically modified a
fluorescent jellyfish to light up cancer cells so they can be caught and
treated in time.
A National Research Council team led by Fabio Beltram presented say
they've added DNA to the jellyfish's Green Fluoresecent Protein (GFP) to turn
it into a sort of "roving light-bulb" that tracks down and illuminates diseased
cells.
The cells can then be destroyed before they develop into life-threatening
tumours.
Presenting the team's work at a conference here Friday, Beltram said:
"It's possible to add more DNA which acts as a trained vector to seek target
proteins".
Once it binds to the cancerous protein, the tumour cells change shape and
colour, he said - much as GFP turns the originally blue jellyfish green.
The breakthrough has "enormous biomedical potential," he said.
The jellyfish, Aequorea victoria - also called the crystal jelly - is
found in abundance off the west coast of North America.
GFP was first discovered in 1962 and has since revolutionised the study
of cell biology, leading to a new understanding of many biologocal processes.
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2007-07-13_113114676.html
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