The First Gene-Altered Squid Has Thrilled Biologists
Scientists have modified the genes of a squid, and genetically-altered octopuses could be coming soon.
by Nell Greenfieldboyce
Jul 30, 2020
3 minutes
The first genetically-altered squid has scientists excited about a potential new way to study marine critters that are so weird, they've sometimes been compared to alien life forms.
Scientists report this week that they have disabled a pigmentation gene in a squid called . Their success shows that cephalopods—which include squid and octopuses--can finally be studied using the same kind of genetic tools that have let scientists explore the biology of more familiar lab animals like mice and fruit flies. Those are easy to
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