The photo is sourced from Light Bio
This project is based on the studies by the group of Russian scientists headed by Ivan Yampolsky and Karen Sarkisyan from the Institute of Bio-Organic Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), who proposed to place the DNA of Neonothopanus nambi – poisonous bio-luminescent fungus – in various plants.
The light radiation of this fungus is associated with the effect of the so-called caffeic acid – an organic molecule, which the plants need for producing cell walls. This molecule produces light by way of metabolic cycle with participation of four ferments. Two ferments turn the caffeic acid into a luminescent source, which is then oxidised by the third ferment producing photon. The fourth ferment turns the oxidised molecule back into the caffeic acid in order to re-start the cycle.
The scientists recovered from Neonothopanus nambi the gen transforming the caffeic acid into luciferin, the light-emitting pigment (generating photons in the process of oxydation) and added this gen to petunias. Eventually, they received gene-modified white flower glowing in the dark with acid-green color. The newly received Firefly Petunia exceeds Neonothopanus nambi in terms of the brightness of luminescence many times.
In general, the creation of plants with sustainable luminescence during their entire life cycle not requiring any additional chemical agents may be used not only for esthetic, but also for scientific purposes. In particular, researchers may use luminescence for observing inner processes in the plants.
In fact, this development may already be recognised commercially successful. LightBio company could attract $2 mln for launching their sales. 10 thousand people already pre-ordered Firefly Petunia, and the total sales of 50 thousand flowers is expected at the first stage.
