BIOLUMINISCIENT TREES!

Clarke · July 29, 2011, 04:36:16 PM

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827885.000-glowing-trees-could-light-up-city-streets.html

OK, they're not the real deal just yet, but IMO it's cool we're even working on this at all.

It's still one step closer to Pandora.

Kamean · July 29, 2011, 04:41:24 PM

Interesting

Txura Rolyu · July 29, 2011, 04:42:32 PM

I like how the last line was something about "if you have to take care of the light then it becomes more precious." That is most definatley a worthy reason to go ahead with this project. Make light a precious thing. Make it a part of life.

Tsanten Eywa 'eveng · July 29, 2011, 04:50:12 PM

we don't need lamp posts, If that has been real

Kamean · July 29, 2011, 05:02:55 PM

Quote from: Tsanten Eywa 'eveng on July 29, 2011, 04:50:12 PM
we don't need lamp posts, If that has been real

Something similar there are in ASG.

Teyl Maktoyu Ayfìwopxä · July 29, 2011, 05:11:42 PM

I'd put one of those in my garden! ^^

Kamean · July 29, 2011, 05:33:36 PM

Quote from: Teyl Maktoyu Ayfìwopxä on July 29, 2011, 05:11:42 PM
I'd put one of those in my garden! ^^

I would have done the same thing.

Human No More · July 30, 2011, 04:41:12 AM

I would too... sadly, it doesn't mean this will happen

bommel · July 30, 2011, 04:49:50 AM

cool, indeed

Txantslusam Skxawng · July 30, 2011, 08:08:51 AM

That would be cool, yes!

Teyl Maktoyu Ayfìwopxä · July 30, 2011, 10:29:30 PM

Well, what if they'd do research on bacteria that are luminent in the dark, be it coloured or just normal colour light, and see if they don't damage the plant, then see if the plant would be able to absorb those bacteria? Or research luminescent types of chemicals, which the plant wont die from?

Human No More · July 31, 2011, 10:20:04 AM

As it is, most chemicals that are luminescent are things you really do not want in your body. Bacteria would be less efficient, and would potentially be liable to failure compared ot a built in capability.

Nyx · August 01, 2011, 04:41:01 AM

Quote from: Teyl Maktoyu Ayfìwopxä on July 30, 2011, 10:29:30 PM
Well, what if they'd do research on bacteria that are luminent in the dark, be it coloured or just normal colour light, and see if they don't damage the plant, then see if the plant would be able to absorb those bacteria? Or research luminescent types of chemicals, which the plant wont die from?

Something that has already been done is they've taken the firefly genes that create the enzyme luciferase and put those in tobacco plants. Then, when the plant is watered with luciferin (the substrate for that enzyme), it glows slightly. I don't quite know how fireflies get their luciferin, I'd look it up if I had the time, but I bet that could be incorporated into a plant too.

Raiden · August 01, 2011, 01:24:27 PM

Yeah, Luciferase would probably be the only way to do it. The issue with using symbiotic bacteria is that they can't just be given to the tree, the tree has to already have a means to use them.

That would be really hard to implement, since animals that utilize symbiotic bacteria only do so because they've also evolved a means by which to support them, and they've only done that because it benefits them directly.

Äteya · August 01, 2011, 07:48:29 PM

I'd get one.

Those would be cool advertisements if they made them(if they included na'vi).

It would be so much fun to play at night.