Chinese biotech startup Magicpen Bio has created plants that glow in the dark, per EuroNews.
By splicing genes from fireflies and bioluminescent mushrooms, they genetically engineered some 20 plant species, including lilies, orchids, and roses, to emit visible light, a technical feat that reportedly took ~532 rounds of iterations to achieve.
Amid climate change and rising demand for energy, Magicpen founder Li Renhan says glowing plants could one day provide an electricity-free, cost-efficient way to illuminate cities around the world.
Great idea, though it still sounds far from now. I also hope to have a chance to get that genetic engineered glowing :)
Yeah I agree. I think the article tried to make that clear. I bought one of the Light Bio bioluminescent petunias a couple years ago and while it was pretty magical it certainly wasn’t powerful enough to be more than a bit of a night light. Considering how far engineered bioluminescence has advanced in the timeline mentioned, starting in the 80s but really picking up momentum in the last few years, hopefully it won’t be too far off before we can see improvements and get to the point that plants together could illuminate larger areas
Same. It was very cool, but… underwhelming in terms of brightness.
Wasn’t that a mini plot point in Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves
