May 11, 2009

Volume 87, Number 19

p. 40

Fluorescent Puppies, Maskbusters

For Adoption: Five adorable, unique dogs, part beagle, part nightlight. Born by a surrogate mother and laboratory-reared, these dogs may have a tint of red on their bellies and toenails. Serious inquiries only.

Residents in South Korea may soon be seeing an ad like this one posted on local telephone poles. Byeong-Chung Lee, So Gun Hong, and coworkers at Seoul National University, in South Korea, and elsewhere, claim they have successfully created the world's first TRANSGENIC DOGS. The team published their findings in the journal Genesis (DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20504).

The five dogs, all named Ruppy for "Ruby Puppy," produce a red fluorescent protein found in sea anemones, which under ultraviolet light causes the animals to glow a bright red similar to that of a laser pointer.

The Seoul team transferred 344 embryos bearing the sea anemone gene into 20 surrogate mother dogs. Seven of the 20 took to the implantation, and six puppies ultimately were born. Out of these, one died of chronic bronchopneumonia after it was accidently bitten by its mother.

Although the dogs only glow brightly under UV light, a slight red hue is detectable on their skin and claws in ambient light. During an autopsy of the deceased dog, red fluorescence was visible in all tissues, including its brain, heart, and bones.

What, you might ask, is the exact point of genetically engineering dogs that glow? The researchers believe that this proof-of-principle experiment will open the door for transgenic dog models of human illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers.

"Dogs exhibit 244 genetic diseases similar to those found in humans, making them one of the closest known models for various human hereditary diseases," the team writes. "Indeed, dogs have been considered as one of the most invaluable models in the research field of drug discovery."

Speaking of disease, it's time for a quick Newscripts public service announcement. In response to the World Heath Organization's upgrading of its Epidemic & Pandemic Threat Level from phase 3 to phase 5 (as of press time) because of the growing threat of an H1N1 virus pandemic, known more familiarly as SWINE FLU, sales of surgical masks have spiked around the U.S.

Although surgical masks seem like an inexpensive way to ward off the virus, the perception of their usefulness may be misleading. Back in 2007, the American Journal of Public Health reported on the effectiveness of surgical masks and respirators as influenza control measures (97, S32). It's important to note the distinction between the two. The paper defines respirators as "masks designed to shield the wearer from inhalational hazards" and surgical masks as "designed to protect others from contaminants generated by the wearer."

H1N1 causes a respiratory disease transmitted person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Healthy individuals become infected when they touch something with the virus on it and then touch their nose, eyes, or mouth.

If you already have a transmissible illness, surgical masks might protect others by containing the droplets that can spread onto surfaces if you cough or sneeze, similar to covering your mouth. But a virus coming toward a mask from the outside would find about as much resistance to its forward motion as a person running through a sparse forest. For healthy people around sick people, the mask's best role perhaps is to remind them not to touch their face.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention won't tell you not to wear the masks but recommends other, possibly more effective, prevention methods such as frequent hand washing and maintaining a safe distance from anyone who appears sick.

Chemical & Engineering News

ISSN 0009-2347

Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society