Benefits to Humans
The jellyfish has been a favourite subject of many scientists and they have found some unique help from these creatures, in their various experiments and research. Certain species of jellyfish glow in the dark. The gene of this jellyfish, is considered as an excellent marker gene by scientists. This gene can be switched on and the researcher is able to immediately see it working. Scientists in Australia have found this gene to be an invaluable tool in their research to find the most desirable gene that can be inserted in sugarcane plants so that it yields the healthiest sugar for consumers. The researchers feel that this gene will help them identify the best way, they can transfer a new gene into a particular plant, and also determine the best switches to turn it on and observe whether its working properly or not.
The other main advantage of this jellyfish gene is that it is very quick to use, in comparison to other gene markers, and scientists are able to check more samples at a much lower cost. Apart from sugar crops, scientists hope to improve crops like sunflower, barley and mung beans.
This jellyfish has proved helpful in understanding the working of immune system as well. Scientists have genetically manipulated immune system cells to produce the fluorescent jellyfish protein. This helps them to follow their movements in response to an infection. The Aequoria victoria species of jellyfish, found in north Pacific, emits a bioluminescent glow to startle predators. This glow it produces by green fluorescent protein (GFP). Molecular biologists have taken advantage of this protein, by splicing its gene, into different genes of a number of proteins, so as to produce luminous proteins that can be easily observed in living cells.
The GFP is now widely used by researchers to study different cellular processes. The cell division in yeast and the development of nervous system in worms has been successfully studied by using GFP. Researchers are now trying to discover how T cells respond to infection, by using GFP and live cell imaging techniques.
The florescent genes of jellyfish are now used by scientists to illuminate cells that produce a hormone, which plays a role in the rise of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Scientists are able to track the hormone prolactin, which is the main trigger in producing breast milk. By the illuminating technique, scientists will be able to figure out how prolactin is sometimes produced in excess by certain pituitary tumors, which leads to infertility. Prolactin is an important hormone, and is linked to over 300 biological functions. It plays a role in autoimmune diseases and in the inflammation of cells and tissues. Now because of the jellyfish florescent gene, scientists are able to identify how this hormone works in real time.
The other main advantage of this jellyfish gene is that it is very quick to use, in comparison to other gene markers, and scientists are able to check more samples at a much lower cost. Apart from sugar crops, scientists hope to improve crops like sunflower, barley and mung beans.
This jellyfish has proved helpful in understanding the working of immune system as well. Scientists have genetically manipulated immune system cells to produce the fluorescent jellyfish protein. This helps them to follow their movements in response to an infection. The Aequoria victoria species of jellyfish, found in north Pacific, emits a bioluminescent glow to startle predators. This glow it produces by green fluorescent protein (GFP). Molecular biologists have taken advantage of this protein, by splicing its gene, into different genes of a number of proteins, so as to produce luminous proteins that can be easily observed in living cells.
The GFP is now widely used by researchers to study different cellular processes. The cell division in yeast and the development of nervous system in worms has been successfully studied by using GFP. Researchers are now trying to discover how T cells respond to infection, by using GFP and live cell imaging techniques.
The florescent genes of jellyfish are now used by scientists to illuminate cells that produce a hormone, which plays a role in the rise of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Scientists are able to track the hormone prolactin, which is the main trigger in producing breast milk. By the illuminating technique, scientists will be able to figure out how prolactin is sometimes produced in excess by certain pituitary tumors, which leads to infertility. Prolactin is an important hormone, and is linked to over 300 biological functions. It plays a role in autoimmune diseases and in the inflammation of cells and tissues. Now because of the jellyfish florescent gene, scientists are able to identify how this hormone works in real time.
