A new study in Chicago claims that green glowing cats are capable to resist feline AIDS virus. The researchers developed feline genes that will make these cats green and glowing.

Dark? Don;t worry you won't trip on a glowing cat again.

The anti-AIDS genes were taken from a monkey. The monkey genes act by blocking the feline AIDS Virus in the feline’s egg cells or oocytes before fertilization. On the other hand, scientists also used jellyfish genes in making the modified cells glow. The cells glow in eerie green color which makes it easy to spot altered genes.

After inserting monkey and jellyfish genes, scientists were able to modify feline cells to resist AIDS. Cats and chimpanzees are the only mammals that can develop AIDS besides from humans.

"This (the research) provides the unprecedented capability to study the effects of giving AIDS-protection genes into an AIDS-vulnerable animal,"says Eric Poeschla, who is the leader of this study.

Feline AIDS has almost the same manifestations with the human AIDS. The virus attacks the T-cells which makes the body more vulnerable to diseases for it strikes the immune system. The AIDS virus in cat can be transmitted through biting. This normally happens to male cats that fight and defend their territories.

Proteins called restriction factors in men and cats that usually fight infections cannot be used against HIV for the virus contains counter weapons. However, studies have shown that the restriction factors of certain monkeys can be used to fight the virus so the research team didn’t miss the chance to obtain some samples and use it to modify the feline cells.

On the other hand, the green glowing feature of the cat was obtained by inserting jellyfish genes. Scientists added green glowing genes to felines to track the monkey genes inserted. "We did it to mark cells easily just by looking under the microscope or shining a light on the animal."Poeschla stated.

The method worked well and the team was able to produce eight glowing kittens after mating two to three pairs of originally glowing cats. The main purpose is not mating though.

The team claims that in no time, this HIV cure will also be used in different animals and perhaps, in humans. "This technology can be applied to a wide range of species, for many of which there are clear applications and potential benefits," says Dr. Laurence Tiley from University of Cambridge in a report on msn.com.

In Australia, a huge number of cats with FIV were noted. A lot of cats died and some are still suffering from Feline AIDS. Perhaps, Australia can also benefit from the positive and successful results of the said study. But for now, the main thing that Australian people do for their cats is to protect them in having FIV.

One of the best ways is to prevent the cat from fighting and biting other cats. Biting is the only way to spread the virus. Another way is vaccination. Vaccines may not be able to treat the existing FIVs but they help a lot in prevention.