super mouse stuns scientists

[RORER-714]

November 03, 2007 01:00am
Article from: AAP



* Modded mouse can run non-stop for five hours
* Lives longer, has more sex, doesn't get fat
* Supermouse is also "very aggressive"

A GENETICALLY engineered "supermouse" has stunned scientists with its physical abilities.

The mouse can run up to six kilometres at a speed of 20 metres per minute for five hours or more without stopping, British newspaper The Independent reports.

Scientists say that's the equivalent of a man cycling at speed up an Alpine mountain without a break.

The engineered mouse also lives longer, has more sex and can breed well into old age, and eats more without getting fat, the paper reports.

The “supermouse” is the creation of American scientists who are working to create a community of 500 of the rodents,

Scientists say the super abilities came about from a standard genetic modification to a single metabolism gene shared with humans.

The genetic alteration to a gene involved in glucose metabolism appears to stimulate the efficient use of body fat for energy production, The Independent reported, citing a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Also, the mice don't suffer from a build up of lactic acid which causes muscle cramps.

Richard Hanson, professor of biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio said the physical performance of the supermouse can only be compared to supremely fit athletes, such as cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.

“They are metabolically similar to Lance Armstrong biking up the Pyrenees. They utilise mainly fatty acids for energy and produce very little lactic acid,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

“They are not eating or drinking and yet they can run for four or five hours.

"They are 10 times more active than ordinary mice in their home cage.

"They also live longer - up to three years of age - and are reproductively active for almost three years.

"In short, they are remarkable animals.”

But he said the supermouse was “very aggressive” and scientists weren't yet sure why.

Prof Hanson said humans had the same gene that had been manipulated in the mice, but trying similar experiments on humans would be wrong.

However, it may be possible for pharmaceutical companies to use the findings to develop new drugs that enhance muscle performance, which may benefit certain patients.

Prof Hanson said the mice were not intentionally bred to have “super” capabilities, but it was clear soon after they were born that they were different.

“We could spot them at just a few weeks after birth,” the paper quoted him as saying.

"They popped around the cage like popcorn.

"We found that they were about 10 times as active as ordinary mice."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22695367-2,00.html

[morbid_curiosity]

But he said the supermouse was “very aggressive” and scientists weren't yet sure why.
it has do be something with their metabolism, and their sex hormones, thats just not normal! kewl but deffinetly not normal...

[D.O.A.]

how can i breed armies of these things?

[Mondocane]

I'd like to know who funds these waste of oxygen scientists

[FlaK]

Originally Posted by Mondocane

I'd like to know who funds these waste of oxygen scientists

The military eh =)

[Peterpigman]

I saw this on the news, it is worrying as they may try to breed super soldiers at some point.

[morbid_curiosity]

imagine if they could power something off the little buggers running... no more rolling blackouts?

[wickpimp]

awesome

[NorthernThreat]

I IsH SupERMOUSE

[aRyan]

^- You isH DumB

Supermice kick ass apparently. I want a couple to pit against other mice.