The flower inthe dark with the bioluminescent light guides clearly visible
The same flower in daylight
A flower that looks like any other flower in daylight, but turn off the lights and its unique engineered bioluminescent light guides become visible. Specialized cell structures on the flower called lumocysts express the luxABCDE genes from the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum giving the flower tissue the ability to make light. The quality of the light produced by these bacteria, and now the plant, is unique and it has powerful lure-like qualities so that when bees become extinct, the plants will attract and be pollinated by night-flying insects like moths. Night feeding carnivorous plants might also be developed though this technology.
Intriguing.
Is the bacteria ‘painted’ on the flower or is it generated inside the flower through botanical engineering by yourself? I’m just wondering about the potential of such a concept.
What is your next step with this development?
The answer depends on whether your asking the scientist or artist in me
Lets try the scientist first
The scientist says I made a thick paste of nutrients, salt and bioluminescent bacteria and smeared it onto the petals of the flower
It’s a dynamic and obviously topical concept – something you want to explore further?
A potential ‘painting the fourth bridge’ type of job or is there the scientific engineering to get the plant to absorb the chemicals instead? And if so, would it alter the nature of the plant in other ways?
So many questions, so little time…
Reblogged this on Beautiful Dystopias and commented:
A world without bees?