Researchers at Georgia State University Shocked by Gene Editing Experiment Making Hamsters More Aggressive.
Researchers at Georgia State University in the United States have recently discovered shocking results from a gene editing experiment on hamsters that surprised both them and many others.
The gene editing experiment transformed these typically docile hamsters in both appearance and behavior. The hamsters exhibited thicker fur and became more aggressive towards same-sex individuals. This change was evident in both male and female hamsters, eliminating the usual trend of males being more aggressive than females.
Gene editing experiment makes hamsters more aggressive.
The research team utilized CRISPR technology to block a specific neural signaling pathway and found that the social behaviors of the animals had changed.
H. Elliott Albers, a professor of neuroscience and the lead author of the study, hypothesized that altering a specific neural branch in the brain would lead to more positive behavioral changes in the hamsters.
However, H. Elliott Albers and the research team were mistaken; they were shocked to find that the results were completely opposite, with the hamsters becoming much more mischievous and aggressive.
He stated: “We were truly surprised by the results. Initially, we predicted that the editing would help the hamsters become more docile and tame, but the opposite occurred.”
Researchers often choose hamsters for experiments because their neural organization is somewhat similar to that of humans. In this case, their stress response resembles that of humans, producing cortisol hormones when under stress.
Previously, researchers had harnessed CRISPR gene editing tools to create litters of hamsters with only one gender. This technique was expected to bring numerous benefits to agriculture in the future.
For studies on animals living in temperate climates that may have longer lifespans, scientists also chose hamsters. They placed the hamsters in a high-temperature environment of about 32.5 degrees Celsius and observed that metabolism decreased as body temperature increased.
The results indicated that the lifespan of hamsters living in high-temperature environments was reduced compared to those living in approximately 21 degrees Celsius, with a decrease of 41% for males and 28% for females.
This species of hamster is also a popular choice for many as pets. There are two main preferred groups of hamsters: dwarf hamsters from grasslands and semi-desert regions in Asia, and the golden Syrian hamster.
