Until recently, cephalopod research has been hindered by the fact that there’s been no way to manipulate squid or octopus genes.

But all that has changed with the first genetically altered squid. NPR’s Nell Greenfieldboyce explains how this breakthrough was made at the Marine Biological Laboratory and why it’s a game changer for scientists who study these critters.

Read Nell’s story here, and check out more of her reporting on cephalopods here and here.

Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

This episode was produced and fact-checked by Yowei Shaw and edited by Viet Le.

Short Wave Podcast

It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.