Unlocking the Potential: How Native Fish Can Help Cure Cancer

🐟Native fish in Minnesota lakes and rivers have slow-evolving DNA that may hold valuable insights for human health.

🔬Scientists from the University of Minnesota and other institutions are studying gar DNA to understand a unique DNA repair mechanism.

💡The slow rate of molecular evolution in gars indicates their DNA has remained unchanged for over 100 million years.

🧬Identifying the DNA repair mechanism in gars could have potential applications in treating human diseases, including cancer.

🌊Gars, along with their close relatives the bowfin, are native to Minnesota rivers and lakes and are harmless to humans.

Why are gars and their DNA important for research?

—Gars have a unique DNA repair mechanism that has remained unchanged for over 100 million years. Studying their DNA could provide valuable insights into treating human diseases, including cancer.

Can gars really help cure cancer?

—While gars themselves may not directly cure cancer, studying their DNA and the unique DNA repair mechanism they possess could lead to new discoveries and potential treatments for cancer and other diseases.

Are gars dangerous to humans?

—Gars, along with their close relatives the bowfin, are harmless to humans. They are known for their hard scales and rock-like skin but pose no threat to people.

Where are gars found?

—Gars are native to Minnesota rivers and lakes, specifically the longnose and shortnose gars. There are seven species of gars, two of which are smaller and native to Minnesota.

What other research institutions are involved in studying gar DNA?

—Besides the University of Minnesota, researchers from Yale University, the University of Buffalo, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing are also part of the study on gar DNA and its potential applications.

00:06Introduction: Native fish in Minnesota lakes and rivers could hold the key to curing cancer and other diseases.

00:33Gars, ancient fish species with hard scales and rock-like skin, have a unique DNA repair mechanism that scientists are studying.

01:35Gars, along with their close relatives the bowfin, are native to Minnesota and are harmless to humans.

02:32Gars have the slowest molecular evolution rates among organisms with a jaw and backbone, indicating their DNA has remained unchanged for over 100 million years.

03:09The study on gar DNA is focused on identifying the DNA repair mechanism that could have potential applications in treating human diseases, including cancer.