A groundbreaking "transgenic zebrafish" capable of visually detecting environmental estrogen contamination has been successfully developed at Fudan University in Shanghai and has received positive feedback from experts. The research was led by a task force under the key project of the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, headed by Professors Song Houyan and Zhong Tao at the Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Fudan University.
Environmental estrogens are commonly found in water, soil, and food sources. These substances can accumulate through the food chain, resulting in concentrations in living organisms that are tens of times higher than in the surrounding environment. Exposure to even low levels of these contaminants can disrupt the development of reproductive organs in wildlife, leading to reproductive dysfunction and population decline. Even minimal exposure to environmental estrogens can negatively affect male fertility. Over the past 50 years, global sperm quality has significantly declined, contributing to rising infertility rates and congenital abnormalities. Some studies also suggest a possible link between increased rates of testicular and prostate cancer and environmental estrogen pollution.
Three years ago, the research team introduced and established a large-scale, automated zebrafish breeding technology platform and imported a genetically pure zebrafish strain from the United States. After extensive and meticulous work, they successfully cloned and identified the vtg promoter in zebrafish, which is highly sensitive to estrogens. They then constructed a eukaryotic expression plasmid containing the gfp gene regulated by this promoter and microinjected it into zebrafish fertilized eggs. Following numerous screenings, the F1 generation of transgenic zebrafish, which is highly responsive to estrogens, was finally obtained.
This genetically modified zebrafish can visually, sensitively, specifically, and quickly detect estrogenic pollution in water environments. Even when the level of environmental estrogen contamination is extremely low, the liver of the transgenic zebrafish emits a green fluorescent signal.
Experts believe that this genetically modified zebrafish offers a convenient, rapid, and effective method for detecting estrogen in aquatic environments. It holds significant value for environmental protection, reproductive physiology, and reproductive pathology research, making it a promising tool for future scientific and practical applications.
Yellow Cornmeal Gluten Free,Alcohol Corn Gluten Meal,Dogs Corn Gluten Meal,Cats Corn Gluten Meal
JILIN COFCO BIO-CHEM AND BIO-ENERGY MARKETING CO., LTD , https://www.cofco-biotech.com