Dye in Doritos Sparks Experiment That Created See-Through Mice

Doritos, beloved by many as a snack, have gained an unexpected distinction in the realm of scientific discovery. Researchers at Stanford University have uncovered that tartrazine, a vivid yellow-orange food dye found in various Doritos flavors, has the remarkable ability to make mouse skin transparent.

In the study published on September 6 in the journal Science, the scientists detailed their findings centered around enhancing visibility for internal tissues and organs. They selected tartrazine for its unique property: its molecules effectively absorb blue and ultraviolet light, facilitating light penetration through the skin of live mice.

Lead author of the study, Zihao Ou, who is now an assistant professor of physics at The University of Texas at Dallas, described the experiment’s outcome. “For those who understand the fundamental physics behind this, it makes sense; but if you aren’t familiar with it, it looks like a magic trick,” he stated, emphasizing the blend of science and novelty in their work.

The researchers first tested the dye on samples of mouse tissue and raw chicken breast, creating a solution of tartrazine and water. They then applied this mixture to the skull and abdomen of the live mice. Remarkably, within just a few minutes, they observed the skin, muscles, and connective tissues becoming transparent.

Once the dye was washed off, the mice returned to their normal appearance as the dye was eliminated from their bodies through urine. “It’s important that the dye is biocompatible – it’s safe for living organisms,” Ou explained. He also noted the solution’s cost-effectiveness, stating, “We don’t need very much of it to work.”

While this discovery may invoke images of cloak-like invisibility akin to Harry Potter, it is essential to clarify that the effect of tartrazine is limited to mice. Human skin is significantly thicker, roughly ten times more so than that of a mouse, making it uncertain whether the dye could provide the same results in humans. Researchers are currently exploring how to adapt this approach for potential human applications.

Future investigations will aim to see if other substances might enhance or outperform tartrazine. Ou expressed excitement over the implications of their work: “Optical equipment, like the microscope, is not directly used to study live humans or animals because light can’t go through living tissue. But now that we can make tissue transparent, it will allow us to look at more detailed dynamics. It will completely revolutionize existing optical research in biology.”

An editorial accompanying the study, penned by biophotonics researcher Christopher Rowlands and experimental optical physicist Jon Gorecki from Imperial College London, draws parallels to H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel “The Invisible Man.” They posited that this discovery, in conjunction with existing methods, could allow for even deeper imaging capabilities than previously achievable.

The application of tartrazine in biomedical research presents exciting possibilities for understanding biological processes better. As research progresses, the implications could reshape the landscape of optical imaging within the field of biology, making it a noteworthy advancement in medical science.

Source: USA Today