Wiser macaques
Human gene improved short-term memory and reaction of monkeys
Scientists from China and the United States have created transgenic monkeys with the embedded human gene MSRN1, which is important for brain development, the China Daily reported on Tuesday. Under the influence of the gene, the primate brain began to develop along the same path as in humans.
As noted in the report of researchers from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of North Carolina in the United States and other research institutes, the result of their work was the appearance of 11 transgenic rhesus monkeys (eight of the first generation and three of the second generation) carrying human MCPH1. This gene manifests itself during the development of the human fetal brain and a lot depends on its activity.
Brain tomography of transgenic monkeys showed activation of neurons and delayed maturation of the nervous system, which is similar to the processes in humans. One of the key differences between humans and non-human primates is that humans take much longer to form their neural networks during development, which significantly lengthens their childhood. In transgenic macaques, this period also became prolonged.
In addition, during the studies, transgenic monkeys demonstrated better short-term memory and faster reaction compared to wild rhesus monkeys in the control group.
In future studies involving transgenic non-humanoid primates, scientists intend to obtain more data on what makes a person unique, as well as on neurodegenerative and social behavior disorders in humans that are difficult to study in other ways.
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