Researchers have been able to genetically create a strain of “mighty mice” that are twice as strong as normal mice, raising treatment hopes for a range of illnesses involving muscle degeneration.

Scientists were able to produce these super-strong mice by suppressing the NCoR1 receptor that normally inhibits the buildup of muscle tissue. In the absence of that inhibitor, their offspring could run faster and longer before showing any signs of fatigue and even showed better cold tolerance.

Source
I for one welcome our new mice overlords.

In all seriousness though, this does have some good applications for us:

“This could be used to combat muscle weakness in the elderly, which leads to falls and contributes to hospitalizations,” said team leader Johan Auwerx from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). “In addition, we think that this could be used as a basis for developing a treatment for genetic muscular dystrophy,” he said.

motorfirebox

Pittsburgh, PA

March 2004

NOV 11, 2011 03:09 AM

Canadian_Coat said:

Researchers have been able to genetically create a strain of “mighty mice” that are twice as strong as normal mice, raising treatment hopes for CREATING CAPTAIN AMERICA.

FIFY

FellOnEarth

Temecula, CA

April 2006

NOV 11, 2011 05:02 AM

This we don't need:

But I do like the idea of treating degeneration caused by disease or nonambulatory injuries.

lexxie

Toronto, ON

October 2008

NOV 11, 2011 11:31 AM

motorfirebox said:

Canadian_Coat said:

Researchers have been able to genetically create a strain of “mighty mice” that are twice as strong as normal mice, raising treatment hopes for CREATING CAPTAIN AMERICA.

FIFY

and my first thought was, "doesn't this sound like the beginning of an x-men origin story?"

Accuser

Scottsdale, AZ

October 2006

NOV 11, 2011 12:07 PM

motorfirebox said:

Canadian_Coat said:

Researchers have been able to genetically create a strain of “mighty mice” that are twice as strong as normal mice, raising treatment hopes for creating .

FIFY

Waldo_Jeffers

United Kingdom

OLD SKOOL

NOV 11, 2011 12:45 PM

TheFuckOffKid

NEWSWIRE

Australia

NOV 11, 2011 04:54 PM

This breakthrough could turn comedians into world champion wrestlers!

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON

May 2005

NOV 11, 2011 05:27 PM

I'm no expert, but I am a skeptic and I'm thinking that an increase in muscle growth would put a greater stain on bones and joints. It seems to me that maybe the NCoR1 receptor in the genetic code is there for the very purpose of balancing muscle build up with skeletal wear and tear. It'd be a little like dropping a V8 into a Fiat Panda. It might go fast for a while, but the drive train and frame just aren't designed to handle that much extra torque. Catastrophic failure is inevitable.

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON

May 2005

NOV 11, 2011 05:33 PM

God. I'm such a buzz-kill.

Accuser

Scottsdale, AZ

October 2006

NOV 11, 2011 05:57 PM

Bill_the_Cat said:
I'm no expert, but I am a skeptic and I'm thinking that an increase in muscle growth would put a greater stain on bones and joints. It seems to me that maybe the NCoR1 receptor in the genetic code is there for the very purpose of balancing muscle build up with skeletal wear and tear. It'd be a little like dropping a V8 into a Fiat Panda. It might go fast for a while, but the drive train and frame just aren't designed to handle that much extra torque. Catastrophic failure is inevitable.

The following is my understanding:

Correct, but human muscle growth inhibitors evolved based on an extremely physically active lifestyle. We don't have that lifestyle anymore. Thus, deactivating some of those inhibitors is most appropriate for people who really need the extra muscle growth. That's why they're talking about using it to counteract muscular dystrophy, but not as a recommended treatment for body builders.

Though body builders could maybe get the same results with much, much less work. That'd be sweet, too.

Waldo_Jeffers

United Kingdom

OLD SKOOL

NOV 11, 2011 10:46 PM

You mean that these mice might be born with... BONEITIS!!!!

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON

May 2005

NOV 12, 2011 06:26 AM

Waldo_Jeffers said:

You mean that these mice might be born with... BONEITIS!!!!

No, but they might die from it.