Cities to be Lit by Bioluminescent Trees

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SUMMARY

Stony Brook University, in collaboration with designer Dann Roosegaarde, has successfully developed a bioluminescent plant by integrating luciferin, the chemical responsible for firefly glow, into a standard plant. This innovation opens possibilities for lighting homes with glowing houseplants and even engineering bioluminescent crops like corn. Discussions also explored potential applications, such as plants that glow in response to pests or diseases, and the societal implications of introducing genetically modified bioluminescent organisms into nature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of bioluminescence and its chemical basis, specifically luciferin.
  • Familiarity with genetic engineering techniques used in plant modification.
  • Knowledge of the ethical considerations surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  • Awareness of current advancements in biotechnology and synthetic biology.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of integrating luciferin into plant genomes for bioluminescence.
  • Explore the implications of genetically modified bioluminescent crops on agriculture and ecology.
  • Investigate existing bioluminescent organisms and their applications in biotechnology.
  • Learn about the regulatory frameworks governing GMOs and public perception of bioluminescent products.
USEFUL FOR

Biotechnologists, genetic engineers, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the future of sustainable urban lighting and agricultural innovations.

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Future Cities Lit by Beautiful Bioluminescent Trees
http://blog.suny.edu/2014/03/future-cities-lit-by-beautiful-bioluminescent-trees/

A laboratory at Stony Brook University, working with designer Dann Roosegaarde, has developed a glowing plant by merging luciferin–which is the chemical that enables fireflies to glow–with a simple plant. The result is a plant, in dirt, that glows. Naturally.
And it is awesome.
 

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Biology news on Phys.org
How about house plants? We could light our homes with them!
 
http://climatevoices.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/4m30_dscn1363.jpg
 
There is a large chemical company that has a huge experimental farm near me. There is actually a guard shack at the entrance, it looks like a military compound. One night, a few years ago, as I was cresting a hill near the farm, I noticed that one of their cornfields had an eerie green glow. I googled and found references to experiments to make corn glow, no idea what I saw.
 
Evo said:
There is a large chemical company that has a huge experimental farm near me. There is actually a guard shack at the entrance, it looks like a military compound. One night as I was cresting a hill near the farm, I noticed that one of their cornfields had an eerie green glow. I googled and found references to experiments to make corn glow.

What is the upside to glowing corn? Novelty popcorn?
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
What is the upside to glowing corn? Novelty popcorn?
You can pick corn at night. :-p I guess it was just to see if it could be done. Of course, they could have placed green glowing lights all through the field, you could not see the fields normally, they are surrounded by high walls.
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
What is the upside to glowing corn? Novelty popcorn?

At one point, researchers were discussing making plants that bioluminesce in response to injury from pests or disease. I have no idea if anyone has gone forward with that idea.
 
  • #10
How about engineering it into fruit, so they'll glow at a perfect time to eat. Or in animal muscle tissue, to glow when meat is spoiled. Possibilities are endless, but will society let such freak products free into nature?
 
  • #11
Sheldon Cooper already got his goldfish which glow in the dark.
 
  • #12
The result is a plant, in dirt, that glows. Naturally.
I don't subscribe to the views of the people depicted in nsaspook's post, but I don't agree that the the adjective "naturally" applies here.
 
  • #13
I see this thread was actually posted on April 1st, April Fools day, but I just had to respond that I want one of those trees. NOW!
 

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