MIT scientists have found a way to induce plants to give off dim light by embedding specialised nanoparticles into their leaves, a major step towards using plants to illuminate the workspace
This technology could also be used to provide low- intensity indoor lighting, or to transform trees into self- powered streetlights, the researchers said.
“The vision is to make a plant that will function as a desk lamp - a lamp that you don’t have to plug in. The light is ultimately powered by the energy metabolism of the plant itself,” said Michael Strano, Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.
To create the glowing plants, the team turned to luciferase, the enzyme that gives fireflies their glow.Luciferase acts on a molecule called luciferin, causing it to emit light.
Another molecule called co-enzyme A helps the process along by removing a reaction byproduct that can inhibit luciferase activity.
The team packaged each of these three components into a different type of nanoparticle carrier.
The nanoparticles, which are all made of materials that the US Food and Drug Administration classifies as “generally regarded as safe,” help each component get to the right part of the plant.
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