Invisimice

In a remarkable discovery, scientists at Stanford University have found a way to make mice seemingly invisible using the food dye Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine. This pigment is commonly found in products ranging from Doritos to Gatorade. According to the Stanford Report, this innovation could “potentially replace some X-rays and CT scans, making blood draws less painful by helping phlebotomists easily locate veins” (Jen A. Miller). If this technique can be applied to humans, it may offer numerous benefits using just the dye's properties.

So, what ability does tartrazine possess? It can alter how light travels through tissues. Typically, skin and tissue scatter light in all directions, creating opacity. However, when applied to the skins of the mice, tartrazine changes how we perceive them. Physician and journalist Bruce Y. Lee explains, “The reason why you can or cannot see through something depends on how much light is scattered or bent” (Evan Kleiman). This process allows light to pass through the mice, rendering their skin layers transparent. When light travels directly through an object, it appears transparent. However, if more light gets scattered and bounces off the object, it becomes less transparent. If enough light is scattered, it renders an object opaque.

The process, although simple, yielded astonishing results! Scientists could observe blood flow, heartbeats, and even the tiniest muscle movements in real-time. Assistant Professor Guosong Hong stated, “This could impact healthcare and prevent people from undergoing invasive types of testing” (Jen A. Miller). This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize medicine. Hong further explains, “If we could simply look at what’s happening under the skin instead of performing surgery or using radiation for a less clear view, we could change our understanding of the human body” (Jen A. Miller). This approach could enable doctors to locate veins, check for skin conditions, or guide precise surgeries without relying on high-tech scanners. Although testing on humans is still a ways off—primarily due to the thickness of human skin and the need for more research—scientists are thrilled about the possibilities.

While tartrazine's use as a transparency tool is still experimental, its potential applications could extend beyond the laboratories at Stanford. This unusual use of a food dye transforms it into a valuable medical innovation. So, next time you look at your food, consider how fascinating a substance like tartrazine can be!