Bringing 'Avatar'-like glowing plants to the real world

If you have seen the movie Avatar, then you have seen the lush glow in the dark forests that captivate the viewers. Now, scientists are finding ways to create different bio-luminescent plants in the real world. Researches so far have tried to produce glowing greenery using the luminescent genes of certain bacteria and fire flies. They would genetically engineer these genes into tobacco plants in particular. The only problem with the way they tried to do this was that they didn't have much control over where the light-generating ingredients would end up in the plant. Michael S. Strano and his colleagues recently created nanoparticles that travel to certain locations in plants. The researchers then infused watercress and other plants with three different nanoparticles in a pressurized bath. The nanoparticles were loaded with light-emitting luciferin. They added coenzyme A which boosts luciferase activity. Adding this and being to somewhat control where the particles were ending up made their watercress plants half as bright as a commercial 1 microwatt LED and about 100,000 times brighter than genetically engineered tobacco plants. If I saw these plants for sale I know I would buy them immediately.   

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171213104604.htm

https://nypost.com/2017/12/14/mit-creates-avatar-like-plants-that-glow-in-the-dark/

The elucidation of fungal bioluminescence

Recent work has led to the understanding of the chemical pathway of light production in bioluminescent fungi. Science has uncovered the processes in bioluminescent insects, bacteria, and marine animals but until now, have yet to reveal the pathway in fungal bioluminescence. There are approximately 80 species of fungi that express bioluminescence. This work has detailed the luciferin substrate, the luciferase enzyme, and the light emission by oxidation into oxyluciferin. Because of the scientific importance of bioluminescence application in the study of biology, this work can help to elucidate other biological processes. Fungi play an important role in the biogeochemical processes on earth and investigations such as this may lead to a better understanding with the applied use of possible biotechnology. With genetic sequencing of these fungi, the biochemical pathway may be used for other purposes yet to be revealed.

Article:

http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/4/e1602847

Popular News Article:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426142022.htm

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6dEyNL3ygI&spfreload=5

Genetic Gamble, In Treatment for Leukemia, Glimpses of the Future

In a fright- flight mode one might do just about anything. Dr. Lukas Wartman was in that very predicament, as his body was fighting for survival from leukemia he was feverishly trying to find a cure for others as well as himself. He subjected himself to being a case study that would change current protocol in such a devastating disease. The article speaks of doing a breakthrough technique never performed before- doing a complete genome sequencing of his cancer cells and his healthy cells along with his RNA to determine where things were going wrong. They found that one of his healthy cells was over producing and fueling the cancer cells. At the same time a promising new medication for kidney cancer looked as though it might perform the same type of shut down mechanism he would need in his leukemia. There were no other studies to help his decision so he would be the first person to try and use this medication for leukemia. He has had great results so far although his prognosis is undetermined at this time. The research is showing it is the genes for cancer that need to be altered not the structure or tissue affected. "Dr. Wartman’s doctors realized then that their last best hope for saving him was to use all the genetic know-how and technology at their disposal".

The article can be read at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/health/in-gene-sequencing-treatment-for-leukemia-glimpses-of-the-future.html?_r=0

Another interesting research article can be found: http://www.jhoonline.org/content/pdf/1756-8722-6-10.pdf