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We all could have seen shiny mushrooms once in our lives. However, it seems that the bright houseplants will also be a reality soon, thanks to the latest science experiments.
In new research, published in Nature Biotechnology, the authors talk about plants with genetically encoded autoluminescence. To accomplish this, the scientists cut DNA from bioluminescent fungi and inserted it into a tobacco plant. The technique helped the really bright plants shine.
What was observed later may change the lives of botanists in the future, as they can use it to study the inner workings of plants.
As explained in the study, the scientists inserted four genes from a bioluminescent fungus, known as Neonothopanus nambi, into the DNA of tobacco plants. These genes helped turn caffeic acid into a luciferin that helps emit energy as light.
The study was led by Karen Sarkisyan and Ilia Yampolsky of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They chose tobacco plants as they are genetically simple and grow quickly compared to other plants.
Karen said: “In the future, this technology can be used to visualize activities of different hormones within plants throughout the life of the plant in different tissues, in an absolutely non-invasive way.” He added that this can also help monitor the plant’s responses to various stresses and changes in the environment.
He has also tweeted about the same:
While scientists have previously attempted to grow these “glow in the dark” plants using DNA from bright bacteria, the latest technique helps illuminate the plant 10 times more than the bacteria precursor.
