Uses of Bioluminescence

There are many potential uses for bioluminescence; however it is very expensive to procure bioluminescent creatures. In a more simple way, lanterns are made in many places by crushed up fireflies (8). The potential for using bioluminescence is science and technology is great. Because ATP is found in all life, NASA has considered testing for life on other planets by trying to run a bioluminescent reaction with the planet sample by mixing the planet dust with luciferin, luciferase, and oxygen. If the reaction glowed, that would most likely mean ATP was present and there is a potential of life on that planet (6). In a similar manner, tuberculosis treatments can be tested. A sample of the TB virus and the antibiotic can be combined with a bioluminescent reaction without ATP. Once the luciferase is added, the researcher can see how well the treatment is working by the intensity of light. If a lot of ATP, and consequently a lot of the living virus, is still present, the sample will glow showing the researchers that their medicine is not working. The intensity of the glow will show how well it is working (6). This phenomenon will help with gene therapy by signaling active genes by the same process of testing for life on planets (6). Thanks to dinoflagellates, bioluminescence can be used to detect movement and the flow of particles. These organisms can be used as microscopic flow sensors because they light up when they move (2). These algae have been successfully used to study the flow of water around a dolphin and the dynamics in the way that it moves (2). In the developing of artificial hearts, dinoflagellates can be utilized. Scientists need to know if the blood is being too hard or soft in their new hearts. These extremes can cause many fatal diseases. These doctors can use bioluminescent algae to measure if the blood is being pumped gently enough (2). Bioluminescence can be used in future research and technology.