Japanese Scientists Name Electric Protein After Pikachu
Jul. 30
Eighteen Japanese scientists at the Osaka Bioscience Institute discovered and named a new protein that aids vision by rapidly passing electric impulses from the brain to the eyes. They called it Pikachurin, in honor of the Pokemon franchise's mascot monster. To quote Nintendo World Report's excellent coverage of the announcement:
The protein is used for transmitting signals (electrical impulses) from the human eyes to the brain. It is also used heavily in the eyes to assist tracking of moving objects. Without Pikachurin, these electrical impulses sent from the eyes to the brain would take around three to four times as long to reach their destination.
it will be joining the goofier side of the science textbooks alongside Sonic Hedgehog, a protein that plays a major role in organ development in mammals. Just think: in a hundred years, these names are going to annoy the crap out of the scientists of the future.
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl Gallery
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Comments
Man, I am hella sad that Mario never got biologically named after something. :/
Hope doesn't cause cancer like that Pokemon Gene. Oh no, it's the MEOWTH VIRUS!!!
You know, Nintendo made them legally change the name of the Pokemon gene because it lead to people saying "Pokemon causes cancer."
Yes! My dream has finally been realized!
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