Generically engineered to over-express the NR2B gene, Hobbie-J consistently out-performed the normal Long Evans rat at complex tasks. A similarly engineered mouse, Doogie, showed memory improvement a decade earlier.
Smart rat 'Hobbie-J' produced by over-expressing a gene that helps brain cells communicateDubbed Hobbie-J after a smart rat that stars in a Chinese cartoon
book, the transgenic rat was able to remember novel objects, such as a toy she played with, three times longer than the average Long Evans female rat, which is considered the smartest rat strain. Hobbie-J was much better at more complex tasks as well, such as remembering which path she last traveled to find a chocolate treat.
Posted by Stephanie at 07:52 AM. Filed under: Science
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Using mouse embryonic stem cells, Duke researchers were able to grow a patch of cardiomyocytes that could contract and conduct electrical impulses.
New Strategy For Mending Broken Hearts?By mimicking the way embryonic stem cells develop into heart muscle in a lab, Duke University bioengineers believe they have taken an important first step toward growing a living "heart patch" to repair heart tissue damaged by disease.
Posted by Stephanie at 07:50 AM. Filed under: Science
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