Human cells help researchers understand squid camouflage

Human cells help researchers understand squid camouflage

Squids and octopuses are masters of camouflage. But some aspects of how they become reversibly transparent are still 'unclear,' because researchers can't culture cephalopod skin cells in the lab. Now, researchers have replicated the tunable transparency of squid skin in mammalian cells, which are more easily cultured.

Human cells help researchers understand squid camouflage

Squids and octopuses are masters of camouflage, blending into their environment to evade predators or surprise prey. Some aspects of how these cephalopods become reversibly transparent are still "unclear," largely because researchers can't culture cephalopod skin cells in the lab. Today, however, researchers report that they have replicated the tunable transparency of some squid skin cells in mammalian cells, which can be cultured. The work coul…

Human cells help researchers understand squid camouflage

Squids and octopuses are masters of camouflage. And now, researchers have replicated the tunable transparency of squid skin in mammalian cells. The work could shed light on basic squid biology and lead to better ways to image cells. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2023.