Just a few genes away from superheroes!

Most of us never think seriously about mice: they're just nuisances, little furry critters that invade homes, alarming women and elephants. This notion appears to be a mistake, as the following news stories indicate.

"Gene Tweak Makes for Mighty Mice"

Nov.1, 2007 -- Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have genetically engineered mice that outrun, outlive, and out-eat ordinary mice while staying lean, light, and fertile well into old age.

Chalk it up to a change in a single gene.

That genetic tweak boosted levels of an enzyme called PEPCK-C in the mice's skeletal muscles, knocking mice's muscle metabolism into orbit.

"They are metabolically similar to Lance Armstrong biking up the Pyrenees," researcher Richard Hanson, PhD, says in a news release. [...]

The genetically engineered mice ate 60% more than the ordinary mice, but they were lean and light, weighing half of what normal mice weigh with 90% less body fat.

The researchers also report that the genetically engineered mice lived longer than other mice and maintained their superior running ability.

For instance, mice that were up to 2.5 years old outran mice that were less than half their age, the study shows.

In addition, a 30-month-old genetically engineered female mouse had baby mice during the study, well past the typical mouse-bearing ages.

"Mighty Mice Regrow Organs"

Sept.29, 2005 -- Mice discovered accidentally at the Wistar Institute in Pennsylvania have the seemingly miraculous ability to regenerate like a salamander, and even regrow vital organs.

Researchers systematically amputated digits and damaged various organs of the mice, including the heart, liver and brain, most of which grew back.

The results stunned scientists because if such regeneration is possible in this mammal, it might also be possible in humans.

The researchers also made a remarkable second discovery: When cells from the regenerative mice were injected into normal mice, the normal mice adopted the ability to regenerate. And when the special mice bred with normal mice, their offspring inherited souped-up regeneration capabilities.

"'Super mice' could replace sniffer dogs"

May 30, 2004 -- He wears no mask or cape, but America's next super-hero could turn out to be a genetically modified Mighty Mouse with a sense of smell 10,000 times stronger than normal.

Two British scientists at Yale University created the strain of super-mouse by accident as they experimented on the rodents' hearing system.

Now experts from the US government and Britain's Ministry of Defence are interested in harnessing the potential of the mice and their smelling abilities in the war against terror.

These articles lead me to the following observations:

1. Mice apparently just missed being a dominant species on the planet by about three genes. Imagine, if you will, a pack of super-fast and super-strong, long-lived and ever-young mice who can regenerate injuries and sniff you out from ten miles away. The mind reels.

2. Journalists really need to learn about more heroic rodents than Mighty Mouse: the rats of NIMH, for example, or DangerMouse.

3. Make these genetic changes in a human, and you get this guy: