21 February 2012

Bioluminescence_green light

A Mysterious Green Glow

In tropical seas, many sailors have been mesmerized by a mysterious green light seen below the ocean surface...
Now researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have uncovered key clues about the bioluminescent worms that produce the green glow and the biological mechanisms behind their light production.
"This is another step toward understanding the biology of the bioluminescence in fireworms, and it also brings us closer to isolating the protein that produces the light," said Deheyn, a scientist in the Marine Biology Research Division at Scripps. 
"If we understand how it is possible to keep light so stable for such a long time, it would provide opportunities to use that protein or reaction in biomedical, bioengineering and other fields-the same way other proteins have been used."

Experiments by Dimitri Deheyn and Michael Latz
revealed green bioluminescence.
(Credit: Image courtesy of University of California - San Diego)


Posted by Aude

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