爱丁堡大学,荧光蛋白,转基因 z-bo 2020-08-20 588

　　Scientists at the University of Edinburgh (EUniversity of Edinburgh) have injected green fluorescent protein into chicks to make them easier to distinguish from other birds in experiments. Every chicken is genetically modified, and the "bait" gene allows scientists to monitor susceptibility to bird flu. Compared with normal birds, genetically modified birds are less susceptible to avian influenza (microscopic images of the pathogen in the photo). Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans, but certain variants (such as A H5N1 and A H7N9) can cause serious human infections.

　　These fluorescent chickens look like the product of a nuclear accident, but they do represent the forefront of bird flu research. Scientists injected green fluorescent protein into the body of the chicken so that it can be easily distinguished from other birds in the experiment. In addition, every chicken is genetically modified. By following the "bait" gene, we can observe the susceptibility to avian influenza virus.

　　This work was co-chaired by Professor Helen Sun of Edinburgh University and Lauren Stilly of Cambridge University. This research was funded by the British government and many poultry companies. The purpose of this research is to prevent avian flu outbreaks like this year. Since December of last year, bird flu has killed or killed 48 million chickens and turkeys in the United States alone. In order to genetically modify these chickens, the researchers injected the "bait" gene into a set of newborn egg cells. Chicks hatched from these eggs can carry the bait gene and pass it on to offspring. It is also a fluorescent protein, which is injected into the cells along with the bait gene to make the chickens fluoresce under ultraviolet light. When these modified chickens come into contact with the avian influenza virus, scientists design their genetic code to allow the virus to replicate the bait genes, thereby inhibiting the growth of the virus. In one study, scientists combined 16 infected chicks with 16 normal chicks and 16 genetically modified chicks.

　　We found that these improved chickens are less likely to be infected than ordinary chickens and the infection process is slower. Researchers hope to prevent the spread of bird flu in two ways. One is to prevent the initial infection when chickens lay eggs, and the other is to prevent chickens from spreading the virus to other species after infecting chickens. Currently, these genetically modified chickens cannot be raised unless they are approved for breeding.

　　Bird flu was first discovered by veterinarians in the early 20th century. Scientists believe that the feces and feathers of wild ducks are one of the reasons for the outbreak of bird flu in the United States. Humans can also spread the bird flu virus through boots and trucks. Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans, but certain variants (such as A H5N1 and A H7N9) can cause serious human infections. Symptoms include fever, sore throat and cough. H5N1 is the most serious avian flu virus, killing 50% of infected people.

　　Birds infected with birds can die asymptomatically or asymptomatically, but generally speaking, infected birds will suddenly swell their eyeballs and earlobes.