Transparent animals: Making rodents you can't see.

"My initial reaction to the article was that of shock, intrigue, and slight controversy due to the implications that could arise with this level of unknown testing"

Quixalon original creation

Factual review on thoughts raised on the essay by Yahn888 which was based on this research article (DOI: 10.1126/science.adm6869). Also inspired by the social media references (1, 2, 3, 4). Views and perspectives on this article are purely of the author of source (Yahn888).

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm6869

Achieving optical transparency in live animals with absorbing molecules 

Optical imaging of biological tissues is hindered by the scattering and, to a lesser extent, absorption of light that limits the penetration depth. Ou et al. addressed this problem through an approach that at first may seem counterintuitive: the introduction of highly absorbing molecules (see the Perspective by Rowlands and Gorecki). The authors show that the addition of common dye molecules that absorb in the near ultraviolet and blue regions improve optical transparency in nearby longer wavelengths. In essence, by causing sharp absorption in the blue region, the refractive index in the red part of the spectrum is increased without increasing absorption. The addition of tartrazine was able to make the skin of a live rodent temporarily transparent. —Marc S. Lavine

The article under review, "Achieving Optical Transparency in Live Animals with Absorbing Molecules," was co-authored by lead author Dr. Zihao Ou, Assistant Professor of Physics at UT Dallas, and a team of twenty collaborators. The study investigates a pioneering experiment that employs absorbing molecules to induce transparency in live animals, paving the way for numerous opportunities in non-invasive biomedical research. Initially, the article elicited feelings of surprise, fascination, and a hint of controversy, considering the potential implications of such unprecedented testing.

The article describes how scientists utilized special "absorbing molecules" to render living animals, specifically mice, temporarily transparent. It suggests that this innovation could lead to non-invasive observation of internal organs and processes, potentially minimizing the necessity for surgical interventions in research. The reversible transparency did not cause lasting harm to the animals, and the research's implications could reach well beyond its scientific value. The concept of a transparent living creature immediately piqued my interest upon reading the title. It took a moment to grasp the idea of "see-through mice," as, aside from jellyfish, I was unaware of any species capable of such transparency, whether through human intervention or natural genetics.

Quixalon Remark: 

The article never mentioned of a fully "see through mice". And it mentions about “transparent abdomen”. It also intends to be able to create "time-evolving maps that depict mouse gut motility".

The perplexity caused by this phenomenon led me to question the side effects of such undisclosed tests on mice. While the author briefly addressed the condition of the mice post-experiment, the mention of ethical considerations seemed inadequate. Despite assurances that the transparency effect would dissipate after some time, the scientific and ethical ramifications of exposing animals to such experiments remain a concern.

Quixalon Remark: 

As of the research article, the rodents used for the study was exposed to 'a common food color approved by the US Food and Drug Administration', therefore it suggests that the substance used, likely tartrazine, was relatively safe for the rodents in terms of toxicity. Since it's a food dye approved by the FDA, it's considered safe for consumption, implying low risk for acute toxicity or adverse effects, especially at the dosages typically used in food.

However, the fact that it’s FDA-approved for consumption doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe in other contexts (like being applied to skin or used to modify skin transparency). It’s still crucial to verify if the study carefully monitored the rodents for any unexpected side effects, discomfort, or long-term health impacts.

The article maintained a consistent and well-organized structure, yet it did not delve deeply into the specific breakthroughs this innovation might lead to in biomedical research. This omission diminished the article's impact on me, as I am equally interested in the potential benefits of the innovation as I am in its general aspects.

In conclusion, Dr. Zihao Ou's study, "Achieving Optical Transparency in Live Animals," suggests an exciting advancement in biomedical research while also prompting significant ethical considerations. The revolutionary nature of this study impressed me greatly. Nevertheless, my primary concern with the article is its insufficient focus on the future implications of transparency in living organisms.

My initial reaction to the article was that of shock, intrigue, and slight controversy due to the implications that could arise with this level of unknown testing.

Quixalon Remark: 

While the concept may initially seem controversial, the use of common, safe dyes minimizes potential risks.