Scientists create glow-in-the-dark cats to help with AIDS because we totally needed that

In the name of science, more specifically AIDS studies, researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota genetically modified a group of cats so that they all literally glow in the dark. One of the genes is a restriction factor gene that helps protect against HIV/AIDS, or FIV in this case (feline immunodeficiency virus). The other is a fluorescent protein to help mark whether or not the gene "stuck". If the cat glows, the restriction factor gene is most likely working, too. The end goal is to help understand HIV by first understanding FIV. Dr. Eric Poeschla, the head researcher, hopes by proving that if cats can be helped this way then it's possible that we can protect humans as well. While only cells have been tested and proven to be resistant to FIV, the team plans to take the next step and expose the animals themselves and see if they can live.

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Not only is the novelty of knowing that we are capable of taking the cutest internet pop culture sensation and making it emanate green extremely gratifying, it's important as it also happens to advance AIDS research. While what we have here isn't the next gigantic leap in medicine, it's still another step towards understanding and hopefully curing the condition. AIDS is a serious issue that will possibly take many more years, if not decades, to figure out. Creative solutions to understanding its nature are a welcome effort, especially if felines are involved.