Bioluminescence: Difference between revisions
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== Boiluminescence and Science == | == Boiluminescence and Science == | ||
Like all animal characteristics, bioluminescence originates in DNA. This fact has become extremely useful for scientists in the medical field. They are now able to attach bioluminescence characteristics to the DNA of bacteria and other infectious substances. Some scientists have used this process to trace the progression of bacteria in lab mice. Because of the bioluminescence connected to the bacteria, such as salmonella, they were able to track the progress of the infection and, by the reaction of the bacteria, determine what antibiotic will be most effective in its removal. They have attempted this same process with AIDS DNA but it is more difficult due to the small size of the bacteria. Some scientists hope to be able to trace alterations and effectiveness of gene therapy with the help of bioluminescent effects. One of the most effective ways that firefly bioluminescence is aiding scientists in the medical field is by identifying the quantity of Adenine Tri-phosphate (ATP) in bacteria cells. This innovative process is extremely helpful because the amount of ATP in bacteria is directly proportional to the amount of bacteria present. Jellyfish’s bioluminescent characteristics are utilized in the same way to identify amounts of calcium present in a substance. [http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses01/MarineEcologyArticles/UsesofBioluminescenceFina.html] | |||
Potentially the most important way that scientists are employing the bioluminescence of organisms in the medical field is in the treatment of cancer. Scientists utilized plasmids with bioluminescent DNA as vectors to transfer the aforementioned genes into targeted cells, giving them the ability to produce the luciferase enzyme which gives fireflies their ability to glow. Patients are then administered an injection of a photosensitizing agent which makes all of the cells in the body sensitive to light. Eventually, the effects of the injection will wear off but linger longer in the cancer cells. While only the cancer cells possess the sensitivity, the patient is treated with laser lights causing a chemical reaction which releases luciferin toxins to kill the cancer. This new approach to treating cancer is extremely favorable because it does not include the negative effects of chemotherapy. However, these light lasers are only able to penetrate through up to three centimeters of tissue, meaning that cancer deep inside of the body cannot be treated with this method. This new form of photodynamic therapy has been affectionately titled BLADe, which stands for BioLuminescence Activated Destruction (of cancer). Unfortunately, humans have not yet been able to be treated with this method because scientists have not been able to find a way to deliver only to the cancer cells and not harm other essential cells in the process. With this in mind, two other vectors are being tested, a targeted liposome and an adenovirus vector, to safely treat humans specifically. [http://acfnewsource.org.s60463.gridserver.com/science/fireflies_cancer.html] [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030421084227.htm] | |||
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
Revision as of 03:44, 21 May 2011
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Intro
Bioluminescence Displayed in Nature
There are many plants and animals on earth that produce their own light for various purposes. The vast majority of these organisms are aquatic deep sea creatures, but also includes numerous bacteria, insects, and fungi. The following is a list of some of the more well-known bioluminescent creatures on earth. It is important to remember that this includes only a small percentage of such creatures and that there are most likely still many more creatures that have bioluminescent characteristics that have not yet been discovered.
- Eukaryotes: bacteria (i.e. Shewanella hanedai and Shewanella woodyi)
- Fungi: mushrooms (i.e. ghost fungus and the jack o’lantern mushroom)
- Aquatic creatures:
- Fish: anglerfish, cookie cutter shark, flashlight fish, gulper eel, lantern fish, midshipman fish, and viperfish
- Invertebrates: sea pens, coral, jellyfish, octopus, sea starts, sea cucumbers, krill, clams, nudibranchs, and squid
- Arthropods (bugs): glow worms, fireflies, click beetles, centipedes, millipedes, and mycetophilid flies
- Mollusks: land snails (i.e. Quantula striata)[1][2]
These intriguing creatures utilize their bioluminescence for a variety of purposes. Some creatures, such as fireflies, use their vibrancy to attract a mate. Others, like the cuttlefish, use their illuminating abilities to communicate with one another through a series of light flashing patterns and colors. Starfish, nudibranchs, and other types of aquatic creatures use their bioluminescence to blend in with their surroundings or the moon light from above them. The intimidating lantern fish lures its prey in with its overhanging light before snatching up its meal with razor sharp jaws. It is suggested that some forms of fungi, among other organisms, ward away predators or warn of dangerous poisons with their glow. [3]
pic? [4]
How Bioluminescence is Produced
Bioluminescence is different than the typical light that people think of in their homes. When a person thinks of light, they think of a lamp or flashlight, or perhaps of a flame. All of these forms of light are called incandescence and include the production of heat. Bioluminescence is unique in that the light is not produced from extreme heat, but rather from the combining of two chemicals in a process called luminescence. Luminescence, unlike incandescence, produces no heat while still emitting a vibrant glow, much like a glow stick. [5]
Bioluminescence in plants and animals, as aforementioned, occurs through the process of two chemicals combining, which ultimately produces light in addition to other byproducts. The reaction begins with the two elements, luciferin and luciferase. The luciferin is a type of light producing substance that is affected by a catalyst. The catalyst, a type of luciferase, sometimes a protein called photoprotein, initiates the reaction in coordination with a crucial charged ion. Different liciferins and luciferases are employed in different types of bioluminescent creatures. Coelenterazine is the luciferin used in marine bioluminescence, while photosynthesis is employed for the reaction by dinoflagellates. Sometimes, other substances are also necessary for this reaction to occur, including oxygen or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). After the chemical reaction occurs, products remain such as light, oxyluciferin, and water. [6]
Boiluminescence and Science
Like all animal characteristics, bioluminescence originates in DNA. This fact has become extremely useful for scientists in the medical field. They are now able to attach bioluminescence characteristics to the DNA of bacteria and other infectious substances. Some scientists have used this process to trace the progression of bacteria in lab mice. Because of the bioluminescence connected to the bacteria, such as salmonella, they were able to track the progress of the infection and, by the reaction of the bacteria, determine what antibiotic will be most effective in its removal. They have attempted this same process with AIDS DNA but it is more difficult due to the small size of the bacteria. Some scientists hope to be able to trace alterations and effectiveness of gene therapy with the help of bioluminescent effects. One of the most effective ways that firefly bioluminescence is aiding scientists in the medical field is by identifying the quantity of Adenine Tri-phosphate (ATP) in bacteria cells. This innovative process is extremely helpful because the amount of ATP in bacteria is directly proportional to the amount of bacteria present. Jellyfish’s bioluminescent characteristics are utilized in the same way to identify amounts of calcium present in a substance. [7] Potentially the most important way that scientists are employing the bioluminescence of organisms in the medical field is in the treatment of cancer. Scientists utilized plasmids with bioluminescent DNA as vectors to transfer the aforementioned genes into targeted cells, giving them the ability to produce the luciferase enzyme which gives fireflies their ability to glow. Patients are then administered an injection of a photosensitizing agent which makes all of the cells in the body sensitive to light. Eventually, the effects of the injection will wear off but linger longer in the cancer cells. While only the cancer cells possess the sensitivity, the patient is treated with laser lights causing a chemical reaction which releases luciferin toxins to kill the cancer. This new approach to treating cancer is extremely favorable because it does not include the negative effects of chemotherapy. However, these light lasers are only able to penetrate through up to three centimeters of tissue, meaning that cancer deep inside of the body cannot be treated with this method. This new form of photodynamic therapy has been affectionately titled BLADe, which stands for BioLuminescence Activated Destruction (of cancer). Unfortunately, humans have not yet been able to be treated with this method because scientists have not been able to find a way to deliver only to the cancer cells and not harm other essential cells in the process. With this in mind, two other vectors are being tested, a targeted liposome and an adenovirus vector, to safely treat humans specifically. [8] [9]
Origin
creation.com icr.org answersingenesis.org creationresearch.org
References
Additional Information
- Wikipedia Bioluminescence
- Lucifer on the Loose by Willis Keithley. CRSQ 26(4):131, March 1990.
- Synthesis of Cypridina Luciferin
- The Bioluminescence Web Page
- The Firely Files
