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- Two Californian scientists have launched
a company to clone genes from luminous sea creatures that could lead to
advances in the war against cancer.
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- To raise money for their research, the
Pittsburgh-based scientists have turned some of the luminous genes into
novelty products.
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- The Prolume company is one of a number
of competing companies in the race to develop luminous bio-technology.
Off the Florida coast, the researchers trawl for a catch with a difference
- exotic luminous sea creatures.
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- "Eighty per cent of animals that
live below hundred meters in the ocean make their own light. So we harvest
these creatures from under the ocean and then we extract the genes by cloning,"
says Dr Gene Finley, President of the Prolume.
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- Making tumours glow
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- Prolume and its rivals have created genetic
libraries for 25 sea creatures.
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- Then the genes are spliced into protein-making
bacteria which multiply by the billions.
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- The researchers aim to develop substances
that could help identify cancerous growths in humans and make tumours glow.
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- "If we're successful, a surgeon
will be able to inject a patient with, in effect, a dye that will be based
on bioluminescents. And then, as he operates on the patient, be able to
see the tumour as a visible glowing item," says Dr Byron Ballou, the
Vice president of Prolume in charge of research and development.
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- He says this could be a life saving technology.
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- "It could also make surgery a lot
quicker and easier. That's what we're hoping for," he says.
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- Squirt gun fundraising
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- It could take from five to ten years
to perfect such products for everyday medical use.
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- Meanwhile, the Prolume team are trying
to raise funds by developing novelty products using the luminous marine
proteins - toys like glow-in-the-dark squirt guns.
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- There is also a line in glowing drinks.
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- "How would you like to open a bottle
of champagne - and have it glow?" Dr Byron asks.
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- "We've even demonstrated this stuff
to the CIA because they're interested in document validation. They want
to have secret messages that they can send to their spies," Dr Finley
says.
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