Stanford Researchers Make Mice Transparent Using Non-Invasive Yellow No. 5 Dye

Sep 5, 2024, 07:01 PM

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a method to make the skin of living mice temporarily transparent by applying a common food dye, Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine. This technique, which was published in Science Magazine, allows scientists to observe internal organs, blood flow, and digestion without invasive procedures. The method could potentially replace some X-rays and assist in early skin cancer detection. The dye, found in everyday products like Doritos, absorbs light strongly and renders tissues transparent, providing a non-invasive way to look beneath the surface of the body. This advancement by Stanford Engineering could also be significant for medical diagnostics and monitoring.