Fungi Lights The Dark
- Sativ Steve
- Mar 10, 2019
- 2 min read
Darkness was over the surface of the deep. And Fungi said, let there be light, and there was light. An excerpt taken from the gospel truth of Mycology. This knowledge was recently extracted by an international team of researchers. The team had been looking to uncover the mechanisms behind what makes various organisms luminescent. The answer they found was shockingly simple. This new information can be used to open the doors to countless new opportunities.
Bioluminescence is the phenomenon when an organism is able to naturally produce light with its body. Dozens of bioluminescent life forms have been recorded by humans; Things like bugs, fish, algae, and much more. There are a plethora of reasons why an organism may develop this ability. Some of the speculated reasons are for aiding in reproduction, self-defense, and attracting prey.
Despite the various different reasons an organism may have for developing this ability, the innate capacity to do so can be attributed to a single common ancestor, fugus. Each of these life forms share the same genetic codes which have then been passed down through generations, sparking wide ranges of genetic diversity brought on by mutation. In other words, evolution. Because they all evolved from fungi scientists are able to study the unchanged process’ that exist in current mushrooms and apply that to all preceding creatures equipped with the same genetic toolbox.
Now that the code for bioluminescence has been cracked, it can be applied to its living ancestors and beyond, at will. This means not only can animals be altered to be luminescent, but also plant life. The ingredients for bioluminescence consists of only four simple enzymes. This simple formula can be transferred across all forms of life by transferring these molecules from one genome to another.
The eve of this new discovery will give birth to many new innovations. No, this will not entirely phase out conventional modern lighting, nor will it get close. But it will lead to breakthroughs in understandings of photophysics. As well it will lead to many groundbreaking medical procedures. Such as new methods of finding and tracking cancer growths.
But who knows, I have a mixture of faith and hope that the new possibility of luminescent vegetation will trigger a revolution in city planning and landscaping. Perhaps some cities can cut down there electric bills and improve there aesthetics by replacing a few street lights with bioluminescent trees. Maybe future walkways and front lawns will be lit up by the grass itself, or a few potted plants. If anything it leaves me with just one question. Will a bioluminescent dog of pure lineage still be considered purebred?
Works Cited:
https://www.pnas.org/content/115/50/12728.short
The fact that bio-luminescence is rooted from fungus goes to show another trait of how important mycology is to our society. And the use of bio-luminescent mushroom within urban areas would be a great replacement to high-electric lights.