Bioluminescence Patrik Dhaeseleer Counter Culture Labs Jan 7

Bioluminescence! Patrik D’haeseleer Counter Culture Labs Jan 7, 2015 U. Cambridge 2010 “E. glowli” i. GEM team

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What is Bioluminescence Production of light from a biochemical reaction by living organisms Independently evolved in many different lineages! Luciferin: small molecule that gets oxidized Luciferase: enzyme that catalyzes the reaction

Biochemistry of known bioluminescence systems http: //biolum. eemb. ucsb. edu/

Fireflies

Bioluminescent squid!

Bioluminescent bacteria!

U. Cambridge 2010 “E. glowli” i. GEM team

Bioluminescent ostracods • Aka sea fireflies, umi-hotaru • Used in WWII by Japanese army to read maps at night!

Bioluminescent mushrooms

Dinoflagellates From Greek dinos: whirling, and Latin flagella: whip. So, “whirls around using a whip” Causes “Red Tides” And bioluminescent waves:

Pyrocystis lunula (the “moon-shaped fire cell”) Lifecycle

Pyrocystis fusiformis (“spindle-shaped”) Pyrocystis noctiluca (“shine by night”)

Why study Bio. Luminescence? Wide spread applications in biomedicine, including imaging disease progression in vivo (in live animals): Progression of autoimmune encephalomyelitis

We have the genes; we can do bioengineering with them!

The Glowing Plant Project

Plus, it’s just lots of fun to play with! U. Cambridge 2010 “E. glowli” i. GEM team

Important links Grow your own dinos http: //tinyurl. com/My. Pet. Dinos Become a member! https: //counterculturelabs. org/join/ Join our mailing list https: //groups. google. com/group/counterculturelabs Support the Omni http: //igg. me/at/omnicommons http: //www. meetup. com/Counter-Culture-Labs/ http: //twitter. com/Countr. Cultr. Labs https: //www. facebook. com/Counter. Culture. Labs info@counterculturelabs. org patrikd@gmail. com