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Scientists Use Nanotechnology To Give Mice Temporary "Night Vision"
Scientists Use Nanotechnology To Give Mice Temporary "Night Vision"
SUMMARY
Researchers have given mice night vision by inserting nanoparticles into their eyes. It may be possible to use on humans someday.
Most mammals can only see from 400 to 700 nanometers of the electromagnetic spectrum, called visible light. The eyes can't absorb longer nor shorter wavelength, so the information doesn't arrive to the brain and it can't be processed. By injecting this nanoparticles mice are allowed to see infrared light, which allows seeing the heat of living things for example.
The injection contains nanoantennae (nanoscopic electromagnetic collectors designed to absorb specific wavelength) to provide mice to see beyond their visible spectrum of light. It doesn't interfere in seeing during the day and the effects of this injections last two weeks and then wears off without leaving permanent side effects.
The lectin conjugated nanoparticles, contained in the injection, guides the nanoantenne sticking to the outside of retinal photoreceptors in the eyes. It provides the eye to absorb infrared light so the brain can process it.
This kind of technology allows scientists to study the responses of the brain depending on visual signals, and it's something that may help color blindness.
We know this experiment actually works because of the responses of the mice during nighttime. They could find something in the same way they could during the day.
It is thought this is a great advance in the field of biotechnology providing critical applications. We may be capable of seeing all the information we can't see in the universe.
LINK OR REFERENCE
Researchers have given mice night vision by inserting nanoparticles into their eyes. It may be possible to use on humans someday.
Most mammals can only see from 400 to 700 nanometers of the electromagnetic spectrum, called visible light. The eyes can't absorb longer nor shorter wavelength, so the information doesn't arrive to the brain and it can't be processed. By injecting this nanoparticles mice are allowed to see infrared light, which allows seeing the heat of living things for example.
The injection contains nanoantennae (nanoscopic electromagnetic collectors designed to absorb specific wavelength) to provide mice to see beyond their visible spectrum of light. It doesn't interfere in seeing during the day and the effects of this injections last two weeks and then wears off without leaving permanent side effects.
The lectin conjugated nanoparticles, contained in the injection, guides the nanoantenne sticking to the outside of retinal photoreceptors in the eyes. It provides the eye to absorb infrared light so the brain can process it.
This kind of technology allows scientists to study the responses of the brain depending on visual signals, and it's something that may help color blindness.
We know this experiment actually works because of the responses of the mice during nighttime. They could find something in the same way they could during the day.
It is thought this is a great advance in the field of biotechnology providing critical applications. We may be capable of seeing all the information we can't see in the universe.
LINK OR REFERENCE
https://www.iflscience.com/technology/scientists-use-nanotechnology-to-give-mice-temporary-night-vision/
PUBLICATION DATE
PUBLICATION DATE
1st of March, 2019
SCIENTIFIC SCOPE
SCIENTIFIC SCOPE
BIOTECHNOLOGY
TEXT COMMENTARY
I think that with this technology we can see things we couldn't with our naked eyes and expand our knowledge in this field. It's a development in the vision field that may help people who have color blindness.
The side effects of this technology may not be permanent but they should be investigated more deeply before testing on human beings.
When science developes there are both negative and positive things. There may be people who agree and there may be people who don't agree with the methods or purposes, but it's still science development. In this case it's the same.
Although I don't really like the idea of changing the nature of our bodies I do think this may be helpful for those who have some kind of sight disease and to expand the knowledge of the things we can not see.
The side effects of this technology may not be permanent but they should be investigated more deeply before testing on human beings.
When science developes there are both negative and positive things. There may be people who agree and there may be people who don't agree with the methods or purposes, but it's still science development. In this case it's the same.
Although I don't really like the idea of changing the nature of our bodies I do think this may be helpful for those who have some kind of sight disease and to expand the knowledge of the things we can not see.
GLOSSARY
None needed
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