Luminescent plants for the future or for nighttime lighting

In this regard, Professor Zhao Guoping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a researcher in synthetic biology, said in an interview that it is not difficult to make bioluminescence. The difficulty lies in the genetic circuit design behind this, that is, how to make these organisms according to the designer's wishes. When the light is shining, it is not necessary to "rest" and accumulate energy.

Sending lovers glowing roses

Not a dream

Recently, in San Francisco, USA, Dr. Omri Emino Zhuo Rui of Synthetic Biology, Dr. Kyle Taylor of Botany, and technology entrepreneur Anthony Evans are working together to develop the "Glowing Plants" project. On their website, they said they wanted to provide more natural and energy-efficient lighting, and one day let everyone say goodbye to the light bulb. Using synthetic biotechnology to transfer a luciferase gene from fireflies to plants, improved genetic design and expression control, it is now possible to make a plant called Arabidopsis more than other previous scientific research. Bright fluorescence. In the future, they hope to develop sustainable lighting plants for street lighting and apply the technology to areas such as flower gardening.

Currently, the team has cultivated seeds of radiant Arabidopsis. Next, scientists have the potential to transplant this DNA to other plants. Scientists are full of confidence, and the next step is to make the rose shine, making this technology more commercially valuable.

Genetic miracle

Sheep that can shine in the dark

The gene transfer technology that makes plants glow is not particularly novel. Taiwanese scientists have successfully implanted luminescent gold nanoparticles called "bio-LEDs" into an aquatic plant, allowing aquatic plants to emit light. Researchers at New York University have developed similar luminescent plants. However, in an interview with the media, Omri Emino Zhuo Rui and Kyle Taylor said that based on previous research, their design is more complete and they can be brighter with better genetic sequencing.

In this regard, Professor Zhao Guoping said: "First of all, this technology is not difficult. It is worthy of recognition that letting plants shine and illuminate, this idea is very fun. Compared to other plants, Arabidopsis is already known to biologists. A relatively clear plant is also relatively simple to control by hand. The luciferin from fireflies is a kind of luminescent protein, which requires it to consume energy and transplant it into plants. The photosynthesis of plants can produce fluorescein bright. The energy of the rise." The researchers also said that photosynthesis in Arabidopsis gives foreign luciferin protein "power fuel", but does not make plants heat like a light bulb.

Coincidentally, the media has recently reported extensively on the news that scientists in Uruguay have created sheep that will shine. Scientists in Uruguay have pointed out that perhaps in the future we will be able to obtain fluorescent wool textiles. Zhao Guoping pointed out that unlike the luminescent Arabidopsis thaliana, the luminescent protein grafted from the luminescent sheep is from the jellyfish. Luminescent proteins from jellyfish require sunlight or ultraviolet light to illuminate. The luciferin protein from fireflies does not require the sun and can glow at night. By contrast, it is easier to lead plants transplanted with luciferase toward the application of street lamps. “Compared to some basic scientific explorations, the public prefers to ask what the scientific research results are, but perhaps the fun itself makes sense. The shiny wool may be added to the stars’ costumes in the future stage, in the spotlight. Beautiful effect. Let the pet fish in our fish tank shine, maybe make the players who like fish culture more happy." Zhao Guoping smiled.

Luminescent creature

Install a control switch

Professor Zhao pointed out that it is not difficult to let the bioluminescence that would not shine, it is difficult to let the creature shine according to the will of the researcher. If we make achievements in this area, it is the new development of synthetic biology technology that really has "gold content".

"In theory, people can shine. But will you agree to make you or your child shine? Except for technical problems, there are ethical issues behind it. If these doctors in the United States can The genetic line design has a controllable switch for the plant to emit light. For example, it can not emit light during the day. After the night comes, the darker the brightness, the harder it is, but it is really practical. Meaning. Design genetic lines with different genetic components, let the genetic elements be expressed in plants according to our wishes, not express when there is light outside, "rest", accumulate energy through photosynthesis, and dark in the outside world It is expressed at the time, and it is the "gold-containing" high-quality, practical synthetic biology research."

Because of the genetic differences in plants themselves and the differences in the level of genetic manipulation of different plants, it is much more difficult to make roses shine than in Arabidopsis. "There are a lot of French phoenix trees on the streets of Shanghai. I want them to replace the traditional street lamps one day to illuminate pedestrians. I am afraid it will be more difficult, but it is not impossible." Professor Zhao said.

Will new technology cause

Gene contamination?

Several scientists invited professors at Harvard University's biosafety to explain to everyone. They admit: "The pollen transmission caused by insects and birds does cause the risk of infection with other close relatives." But they said that these problems were carefully considered during the research process. "The reason why they choose to be south Mustard is because it is a plant that pollinates itself, nor is it a native plant of the United States. There is no "relative" in the wilderness of the United States."

In this regard, Professor Zhao Guoping believes that there are actually many solutions. For example, there are many plants in nature, which are propagated through asexual processes, allowing these plants to shine. It also allows the glowing plants to not bloom at all, and can completely avoid the problem of pollen transmission.

The explanation of several scientists is that Arabidopsis, which is currently designed, basically uses all the extra energy to illuminate, and is much weaker in evolutionary ability than other common plants.

Professor Zhao Guoping said: "In the research of synthetic biology, every progress is extremely difficult. I am afraid that it is impossible to achieve the exaggerated horror in science fiction films. In addition, most responsible scientists are good people. If there is any harm, The scientists who are the first to suffer are the safety of themselves. The safety issue is strictly controlled from a professional perspective."