The electric eel is the biggest power-making creature on Earth. It can release up to 860 volts, which is enough to run a machine. In a recent study, a research group from Nagoya University in Japan found electric eels can release enough electricity to genetically modify small fish larvae. They published their findings in PeerJ.

The researchers’ findings add to what we know about electroporation, a gene delivery technique. Electroporation uses an electric field to create temporary pores in the cell membrane. This lets molecules, like DNA or proteins, enter the target cell.

  • drolex
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    1 year ago

    It can release up to 860 volts, which is enough to run a machine.

    Ah yes. Witness my latest invention: a machine the size of an object that might be strong enough to perform an action.

  • Coasting0942@reddthat.com
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    1 year ago

    TLDR they showed that electric eel shocks initiated gene transfer. We knew that electricity could do this, lightning etc, but haven’t been able to show this happening in nature experimentally.