Dear Netters,
Have you ever heard about "parabiosis"?
It is the surgical union between two animals (commonly mice)
with eschange of blood or body fluids. In most cases, the union
is made by opening the abdominal right side of one mouse and the
left side of another one. Then, the borders of the incisions are
sutured, "attaching" the two animals.
Earlier in the century used in immunological experiments,
some japanese researchers' recently studies on aging have used
this experimental model. They have made pairs of young/old mice
and investigated cellular morphological changes as well the arise
of tumors.
I woul like to hear from the Ageing Netters some opinions
about the parabiosis as an experimental model for aging studies.
I think that there are too many variables involved and I can't
believe that clear data could emerge to take well conclusions.
What do you think?
Emilio Jeckel
