For the first time in history, scientists have genetically altered squid embryos by removing a pigmentation gene that resulted in transparent creatures. The team used CRISPR-Cas9 to ‘knock out’ the gene in a Doryteuthis pealeii and in turn eliminated coloring from the eyes and skin cells. The genetically-modified squids, which looks similar to out of this world creatures, were born completely transparent with beady, clear eyes. They discovered the giant squid genome has an estimated 2.7 billion DNA base pairs – the connected chemical compounds on opposite sides of DNA strands. While genome size doesn’t necessarily equate to intelligence, it can hint at features such as cell division rate, body size, developmental rate and even extinction risk.

Source: Daily Mail July 30, 2020 22:05 UTC