Breakthrough: Tadpoles as pollution detector

Engineered Glowing Tadpoles Detect Pollution

MEAD GRUVER, Associated Press Writer
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) ― Here’s something cooler than a canary in a coal mine: Tadpoles genetically engineered to glow when they encounter water pollution.

African clawed frog tadpoles modified with jellyfish genes show promise as a faster and less expensive way to detect pollution than traditional methods, say a University of Wyoming professor and researchers in France.

What’s more, the green-glowing tadpoles indicate whether pollution exists in a form that can be absorbed by an organism and therefore might be dangerous to people. That’s more difficult with conventional methods

via cbs4denver

So guys/gals, next time you run from tadpoles, its better be because of the water pollution not because they are yucky :p

-Lokman-

Dec 28, 2009

• Posted by lokman
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• Environment, Nature, Technology
• Environment, Nature, Technology

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