How transparent mice help fight cancer

Clear mice - 21st August 2023

Scientists in Germany made mice clear in 2018. Now, they can make 3D maps of animals' insides. This can help to study new drugs. This means they can use fewer mice for tests.

Scientists need animal organs and cells. They often test new drugs on mice first. Sometimes, they change the animals’ genes.

Now, scientists have a special liquid. It can make mice clear. They’re mixing this with 'wildDISCO'. WildDISCO’s a new way to look at things.

With wildDISCO, scientists put special things on antibodies. They put the antibodies inside clear dead mice. Then, computers make 3D pictures. They can save these 3D pictures. WildDISCO makes maps of the mice organs.

Other scientists can use these maps online. They don’t have to do tests on animals. They can use this technology to study cancer.

Scientists want to teach AI to use wildDISCO. AI can learn from the maps. AI can help stop cancer.