Befriend a mole-rat, cure cancer

[Fireand'chutes77]

"The naked mole rat is immune to cancer. At last, scientists have figured out why."

...Wow.

http://www.popsci.com/node/40112/?cmpid=enews102909

...According to the scientists, the mole rat's cells express a gene that tells cells to stop dividing. The gene, called p16, forms a second ring of defense against cancer. Most mammals, including humans, only have one gene, p27, protecting cells from cancer. And while most cancers know a way around p27, p16 stops them cold.

In the experiment, researchers gave cancer to a mole rat cell. However, unlike similarly altered mouse cells, the cancerous mole rat cell didn't engage in the non-stop proliferation associated with cancer.

Also, something from the article that might annoy the supervillains and could explain Rufus's survival on Team Possible:

"...Acid doesn't really burn them."

Final thought - After reading the title of the article, I can hear Monkey Fist shouting, "...Vile rodent!"

[TransWarpDrive]

"The naked mole rat is immune to cancer. At last, scientists have figured out why."

...Wow.

http://www.popsci.com/node/40112/?cmpid=enews102909

...According to the scientists, the mole rat's cells express a gene that tells cells to stop dividing. The gene, called p16, forms a second ring of defense against cancer. Most mammals, including humans, only have one gene, p27, protecting cells from cancer. And while most cancers know a way around p27, p16 stops them cold.

In the experiment, researchers gave cancer to a mole rat cell. However, unlike similarly altered mouse cells, the cancerous mole rat cell didn't engage in the non-stop proliferation associated with cancer.

Also, something from the article that might annoy the supervillains and could explain Rufus's survival on Team Possible:

"...Acid doesn't really burn them."

Final thought - After reading the title of the article, I can hear Monkey Fist shouting, "...Vile rodent!"

Funny; while I was reading the article you linked us to, the instrumental version of "The Naked Mole Rap" kept running through my mind!
Seriously though, if these critters can help us find a cure for cancer, I say GREAT! What with cancer running in both sides of my family (in fact, my father died from cancer 20 years ago), I'm especially interested in any new development in the fight against this disease.
Yes, this news is one more reason to say, "Rufus ROCKS!"

[MrDrP]

Naked mole rats made Tuesday's New York Times, too:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/sc...e%20Rat&st=cse

[TransWarpDrive]

Fascinating link...thanks, MrDrP!
You know, if Disney were smart, they'd use this naked mole rat news as a way to publicize KP. I mean, Rufus as a cancer-fighter, as well as a crime-fighter? Just think of the possibilities!