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Stanford Researchers Use Tartrazine (Yellow No. 5) to Make Mice Transparent

Sep 6, 2024, 09:55 AM

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a method to make the skin of live mice temporarily transparent by applying a common food dye, tartrazine, also known as Yellow No. 5. This technique, which is non-invasive and reversible, allows scientists to observe internal organs, blood flow, digestion, muscle, and connective tissues without harming the animals. The discovery, published in Science Magazine, has potential applications in medical diagnostics, such as early skin cancer detection and locating injuries or tumors. The dye, which is found in products like Doritos, absorbs light strongly, rendering the tissue see-through within minutes and enabling detailed optical imaging of internal structures.