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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mayo Clinic / Rex Features (1439500b) Glowing Cat's Face Glow in the Dark Cat, Rochester, Minnesota - 11 Sep 2011 LINK TO FULL WORDS: http://www.rexfeatures.com/nanolink/d458

Cats have been genetically modified to glow green and help future HIV/AIDS research.

Scientists at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota have developed GM cats that are resistant to the cat version of HIV. They have also been crossed with a jellyfish gene that makes the cats luminous under a blue light in order to help the US scientists track their methods success.

Mayo molecular biologist and leader of the international study, Dr Eric Poeschla explained: "One of the best things about this biomedical research is that it is aimed at benefiting both human and feline health."

The team at the Mayo clinic introduced the protective gene into a cat egg and used IVF to produce the GM cats, which have gone on to have healthy glowing offspring.