Sheep that glow like glow sticks

May 08, 2013

Uruguay scientists create sheep that can glow in the dark

It’s a jelly fish, it’s a sheep, and actually it’s a bit of both. Scientists in Uruguay have developed the first genetically-modified phosphorescent sheep. The sheep glow green with the help of a protein that’s found in jellyfish.

Researchers from Uruguay’s Institute of Animal Reproduction genetically modified nine-sheep from Aequorea Victoria jellyfish. The sheep were born in Oct. 2012 and were injected with the green jellyfish protein. The research experiment was successful and the sheep glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. Glowing animals is an area of interest in biomedical research. Other animals that have been created to glow include – cats, dogs, pigs, zebra fish, mice and monkeys just to name a few.

The lead researcher of the project says that the sheep are deemed healthy, with the only difference from other sheep is that they can glow. Scientist conducted this project to better understand animal and human diseases. In the future, researchers may be able to have animals like sheep produce milk with human growth hormones to treat endocrine disorders in humans. Sheep will continue to be under the care of scientists and do spend time outdoors in the fields like normal sheep.

Video: Spring Planting Prep Just Got Serious… We NEED This!

Getting closer to planting season means one thing… it’s time to get EVERYTHING ready.

Today didn’t go exactly as planned—we thought we’d be hauling potatoes again, but instead we spent the day digging equipment out of the cellar, hooking up the grain drill, and getting tractors ready to roll. With wheat planting just around the corner, every piece of equipment matters.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day without a few problems… dead batteries, hydraulic issues, and a truck tire that absolutely refused to cooperate. We tried everything—jump packs, bead bazooka, ratchet straps… and eventually had to bring out the “big guns” just to get things moving again.

But that’s farm life—adapt, fix, and keep moving forward.

We’re getting close to go-time. Wheat seed is coming soon, and planting season is right around the corner