Glow-in-the-Dark Cats: A Healing Shine

There is no doubt that cats are some of the most beloved and intriguing creatures; they are furry, playful, and—sometimes—overly aggressive little monsters. Over the years, they have captured our hearts with their fascinating personalities, so it is only natural that scientists couldn't resist experimenting with them. Among the most interesting outcomes is the creation of glow-in-the-dark felines, which, surprisingly, were not just made for party tricks and amusement.

Do not worry, cat owners. Scientists did not create a glowing virus. Instead, they have come up with this genetic modification to fight feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the cat version of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the less advanced stage of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). 

The secret behind the glowing felines lies within green fluorescent proteins (GFP), a gene extracted from the crystal jelly, which is a type of bioluminescent or naturally glowing jellyfish. To create these glimmering cats, researchers must first isolate the GFP gene and then insert it into the mother cat's egg cells. Once the egg is fertilized, kittens with the gleam are born. While GFP genes are generally considered safe, no beneficial side effects are shown besides making your cat look breathtakingly cool. Still, there is more to the glow than meets the eye.

To fight certain diseases, scientists use other special genes, such as TP53, a “tumor suppressor gene,” in cancer research. In the case of our glowing cats, genes from the rhesus macaque, a type of monkey, are used to cure FIV. 

It sounds simple enough – so why don’t we just insert these genes into all cats and cure the virus? 

Apparently, there is a catch. Inserting a gene does not always work, and it is hard for geneticists to tell if the cat's body has accepted the gene. Even if a gene is successfully inserted into the mother cat, its offspring may still show side effects. Additionally, scientists cannot control where the genes will end up, meaning they could enter areas in the cat’s body where genes cannot function properly. 

This is where GFP comes in handy. The  GFP is typically inserted into the cats along with the gene from the rhesus macaque, which acts as a marker to determine if the genetic modification was a success. Simply put, it serves as an indicator. If your cat glows, the GFP and monkey gene have successfully made their way into the cat's cells; if it does not, unfortunately, your cat missed the update. 

While the concept of glowing cats may sound promising, the geneticists behind it have yet to be rewarded as heroes, as FIV and AIDS remain incurable up to this day. But do not lose hope! Researchers are still working on finding the ultimate cure for human AIDS, and these cats mark the beginning of what could possibly be a larger breakthrough in the future.

So, while your cat may not be lighting up your living room just yet, the glowing felines of today may be taking the first step toward a cure for AIDS. These cats not only help researchers study genetic diseases that could improve their health but also pave the way for a potential cure for humans as well. In the end, they have found a way to capture our hearts again, and isn’t that just awesome?