Streetlights could be replaced by glow-in-the-dark trees

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

Experts injected specialised nanoparticles into the leaves of a watercress plant, which caused it to give off a dim light for nearly four hours.
The chemical involved, which produced enough light to read a book by, is the same as is used by fireflies to create their characteristic shine.

To create their glowing plants, engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) turned to an enzyme called luciferase.
Luciferase acts on a molecule called luciferin, causing it to emit light.
Another molecule called Co-enzyme A helps the process along by removing a reaction byproduct that can inhibit luciferase activity.
The MIT team packaged each of these components into a different type of nanoparticle carrier.
The nanoparticles help them to get to the right part of the plant and also prevent them from building to concentrations that could be toxic to the plants.
The result was a watercress plant that functioned like a desk lamp.

Luciferases make up a class of oxidative enzymes found in several species that enable them to 'bioluminesce', or emit light.

The full findings of the study were published in the American Chemical Society journal Nano Letters.

 

[the54thvoid]

Bio luminescent water cress and glow in the dark trees are a long way apart.....

Also... the ecological effects on birds and insects would preclude any right minded person from doing such a thing. However, eating bioluminscent water cress..... I detect super powers coming along.

 

[Ahhzz]

There was an early kickstarter project that was attempting to make either a tobacco plant, or some moss, glow int he dark. Shortly after, Kickstarter blocked any genetic projects for "reasons". It finally fell apart, but I'd love to see a return to that basic process

 

[natr0n]

I havent eaten watercress for many years it seems.

Glow in the dark paint would be better I think. It can charge all day long.

 

[Ebo]

There some things thats not for us to mess with, this is one of them.

 

[StrayKAT]

Now we need complete urban renewal. Make everything pseudo-organic. We'll become like one of those fantasy races.

 

[RejZoR]

Instead of making trees glow, how about giving humans night vision that cats have instead?

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I came here for glow in the dark trees. sigh.

 

[eidairaman1]

Experts injected specialised nanoparticles into the leaves of a watercress plant, which caused it to give off a dim light for nearly four hours.
The chemical involved, which produced enough light to read a book by, is the same as is used by fireflies to create their characteristic shine.


View attachment 94815

To create their glowing plants, engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) turned to an enzyme called luciferase.
Luciferase acts on a molecule called luciferin, causing it to emit light.
Another molecule called Co-enzyme A helps the process along by removing a reaction byproduct that can inhibit luciferase activity.
The MIT team packaged each of these components into a different type of nanoparticle carrier.
The nanoparticles help them to get to the right part of the plant and also prevent them from building to concentrations that could be toxic to the plants.
The result was a watercress plant that functioned like a desk lamp.

Luciferases make up a class of oxidative enzymes found in several species that enable them to 'bioluminesce', or emit light.

View attachment 94816

View attachment 94817

The full findings of the study were published in the American Chemical Society journal Nano Letters.

Great during Peace, bad for war where blackouts are needed...