The Gene of The Naked Mole Rat and its Contribution To Cancer and Aging Research

/ November 7th, 2011 / Comments Off Posted in Animal / Tag: , , , ,  /
The naked mole lives up 10 times longer than the mouse or the rat. Scientists are asking “Why?” and want to seriously test the genes to find out what makes them live long and healthy. This is a rodent that lives under the ground but is highly social which means it comes up for air and a bit of socializing once in a while. Thus, it begs the question why it appears to be immune to diseases and infections.

 

 

To be able to study the genes of the naked mole, scientists will have to poke and possibly harm them. The cost is supposed to be justified by the results especially if a cancer drug can be found. The study is currently taking place in San Antonio Texas with an elite team of international scientists and members of the University of Texas Health Center. They have managed to capture and cage over 2,000 naked moles in their lab.

It has already been proven that this particular rodent species can resist cancer. Researchers believe it has something to do with protein integrity and genes. They think that if they can pinpoint exactly what kind of gene enables immunity from cancerous cells, they can come up with a cure for cancer.
According to Dr. Rochelle Buffenstein who is part of the research team, “We might find clues as to why the naked mole rate is able to extend both health span and longevity, as well as fight cancer, and this information could be directly relevant and translatable to humans.”
The naked mole lives to over 30 years in captivity. It does not show signs that it is aging throughout its 30 years and has low oxygen requirements. It does have low tolerance for high carbon dioxide levels. Up to the 30th year, the female naked mole can still have babies and does not feel some types of pain. It does have a body temperature of a reptile and lives like bees with a Queen mole just like a Queen Bee.
Fortunately, the naked mole is not an endangered species and the research team is avoiding any cruelty to the lab animals. This is why, in this case, one does not hear complaints about using the naked mole for research.

Getting to Know David’s Deer: an Endangered Animal

/ November 5th, 2011 / Comments Off Posted in Animal / Tag: , , ,  /

Scientifically known as Milu Cervus davianus or Elaphurus davidianus, David’s deer has an unusual physical characteristic – its light brown antlers are forked at the tips. It is native to China, Japan, and Korea although it has also been seen in England. This could have been because of trade between the two countries decades ago.

The antlers are legendary for having had aphrodisiac powers and this is probably the main reason why it became extinct as a wild animal many years ago. At the same time, the only remaining David’s deer in the world was a herd kept in captivity in Beijing’s Imperial Hunting Park. It was here that a young man named Pere Armond David saw the deer and in 1865, bribed a guard to give him a pair of antlers and skin which he sent to France. Thus, the origin of the name, David’s deer is explained.

Thirty years after this happened, a great flood hit the park and it killed almost all the animals. A few David’s deer survived and sent to Beijing Zoo. One particular Duke from Bedford brought a handful to his home in Woburn Abbey. They lived there and began to populate. Meanwhile in China, the 1900s was the year all David’s deer were killed. First by hungry European soldiers, and then in 1939, the last of David’s deer was shot dead.

Through persistent collaboration and support from the Englishman, the 14th duke, the Marquess of Tavistock who is a descendent of the Duke of Bedford decided to give China a gift of 22 David’s deer in 1985. The deer was first placed in captivity at the South lake garden but later set free in Central China near the Yangtze River – their natural habitat.

Today, David’s deer has managed to grow in numbers to 1,000 through the efforts of the China Wildlife Conservation Awards and South Lake Garden.

David’s deer has been called the “weirdest deer of all deer species.” The males are almost double the weight of the females making them the largest male deer with a cow-like face. The tail of this deer has a tassel and the deer sports a heavy coat with long hair. They like to spray their bodies with urine and dress their antlers with mud and leaves. They can grow 2 sets of antlers in a year if they are well cared for.

Our endangered animals | KONICA MINOLTA
Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.

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