Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence PDF Author: Marc Zimmer
Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books ™
ISBN: 1467792314
Category : Young Adult Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
What do giant squids, mantis shrimp, and fireflies have in common? These animals, along with a wide range of creatures, are able to give off light; this is called bioluminescence. Different species use different chemistries to bioluminesce, and they produce their light for a variety of reasons, including communication, hunting, and self-defense. Bioluminescence is a unique and fascinating adaptation found in the animal kingdom. Surprisingly, about half of all known phyla (a classification for animals that share the same body type) contain some bioluminescent species. Scientists don't yet understand all facets of bioluminescence, but they have managed to harness the glow and use it in a myriad of ways. One of the most important applications involves using bioluminescence as a microscope in medical studies. For example, laboratory scientists can create fluorescent malaria parasites to track the path by which the disease is spread from a mosquito to the animal it bites. Bioluminescent proteins are also helping researchers learn more about cancer, HIV and other viruses, and complex neurological processes. In fact, bioluminescent proteins are so useful to twenty-first-century medicine that two groups of scientists, one in 2008 and the other in 2014, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work with these proteins and related technologies. Even artists and fashion designers use bioluminescence in their work to create glowing, light-sensitive paintings and clothing lines. Author Marc Zimmer, a world-renowned specialist in fluorescent proteins, takes readers on a glowing journey into the frontiers of bioluminescence.

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence PDF Author: Marc Zimmer
Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books ™
ISBN: 1467792314
Category : Young Adult Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 76

Get Book Here

Book Description
What do giant squids, mantis shrimp, and fireflies have in common? These animals, along with a wide range of creatures, are able to give off light; this is called bioluminescence. Different species use different chemistries to bioluminesce, and they produce their light for a variety of reasons, including communication, hunting, and self-defense. Bioluminescence is a unique and fascinating adaptation found in the animal kingdom. Surprisingly, about half of all known phyla (a classification for animals that share the same body type) contain some bioluminescent species. Scientists don't yet understand all facets of bioluminescence, but they have managed to harness the glow and use it in a myriad of ways. One of the most important applications involves using bioluminescence as a microscope in medical studies. For example, laboratory scientists can create fluorescent malaria parasites to track the path by which the disease is spread from a mosquito to the animal it bites. Bioluminescent proteins are also helping researchers learn more about cancer, HIV and other viruses, and complex neurological processes. In fact, bioluminescent proteins are so useful to twenty-first-century medicine that two groups of scientists, one in 2008 and the other in 2014, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work with these proteins and related technologies. Even artists and fashion designers use bioluminescence in their work to create glowing, light-sensitive paintings and clothing lines. Author Marc Zimmer, a world-renowned specialist in fluorescent proteins, takes readers on a glowing journey into the frontiers of bioluminescence.

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence PDF Author: Thérèse Wilson
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674071913
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
Bioluminescence is everywhere on earth—most of all in the ocean, from angler fish in the depths to the flashing of dinoflagellates at the surface. Here, Thérèse Wilson and Woody Hastings explore the natural history, evolution, and biochemistry of the diverse array of organisms that emit light. While some bacteria, mushrooms, and invertebrates, as well as fish, are bioluminescent, other vertebrates and plants are not. The sporadic distribution and paucity of luminous forms calls for explanation, as does the fact that unrelated groups evolved completely different biochemical pathways to luminescence. The authors explore the hypothesis that many different luciferase systems arose in the early evolution of life because of their ability to remove oxygen, which was toxic to life when it first appeared on earth. As oxygen became abundant and bioluminescence was no longer adequate for oxygen removal, other antioxidant mechanisms evolved and most luminous species became extinct. Those light-emitting species that avoided extinction evolved uses with survival value for the light itself. Today’s luminous organisms use bioluminescence for defense from predators, for their own predatory purposes, or for communication in sexual courtship. Bioluminescence was earlier viewed as a fascinating feature of the living world, but one whose study seemed unlikely to contribute in any practical way. Today, bioluminescence is no longer an esoteric area of research. Applications are numerous, ranging from the rapid detection of microbial contamination in beef and water, to finding the location of cancer cells, to working out circuitry in the brain.

Bioluminescence: Chemical Principles And Methods (3rd Edition)

Bioluminescence: Chemical Principles And Methods (3rd Edition) PDF Author: Osamu Shimomura
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9813277122
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 557

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Book Description
This book is the bible of bioluminescence and a must-read not only for the students but for those who work in various fields relating to bioluminescence. It summarizes current structural information on all known bioluminescent systems in nature, from well-studied ones to those that have been seldom investigated.This book remains an important source of chemical knowledge on bioluminescence and, since the second edition's publication in 2012, has been revised to include major developments in two systems: earthworm Fridericia and higher fungi whose luciferins have been elucidated and synthesized. These two new luciferins represent an essential addition to seven previously known, with fully rewritten sections covering this new subject matter.

Luminous

Luminous PDF Author: Julia Kuo
Publisher: Greystone Books Ltd
ISBN: 1771648899
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
In this “surprisingly simple yet mesmerizing introduction to a wonder of the natural world” (Kirkus STARRED Review), kids aged 4 to 8 will marvel at the science of bioluminescence through stunning images of glowing creatures and other organisms. When it’s dark out, we need light to see. But what if your body could make its own light? From acclaimed author-illustrator Julia Kuo comes a remarkable picture book about bioluminescence, the light made from living things, and its many forms: fireflies and foxfire, fungi and glow-worms, deep-sea fish and vampire squids. Kuo’s radiant art portrays a young child and adult discovering different bioluminescent creatures, accompanied by simple lyrical text and informative sidebars that reveal fascinating scientific facts about each of them. An introduction to an extraordinary natural phenomenon, Luminous shines a light upon how truly wondrous the world is. Luminous features: Brilliant and unique illustrations: The depiction of vibrant bioluminescent species against an unusual black backdrop creates an unforgettable visual experience for readers. The science of bioluminescence: Shares the real-life magic of bioluminescence with sidebars about the various places and species in which bioluminescence is found. Text can be read on two levels: Kuo’s simple and poetic narrative is accompanied by scientific facts about bioluminescence.

Bioluminescence & Chemiluminescence

Bioluminescence & Chemiluminescence PDF Author: Larry J. Kricka
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9789812776624
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 564

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Book Description
The Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Bioluminescence (BL) and Chemiluminescence (CL) contains up-to-date information on the latest developments in BL and CL presented by scientists from around the world.Light-emitting reactions are now a vital component of many key technologies in research and in routine analytical laboratories OCo replacing radionuclides in many situations. This volume presents a compilation of the latest developments from key experts and leading-edge researchers in this area."

Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence

Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence PDF Author: James F. Case
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9789812811158
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 548

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Book Description
Light-emitting reactions occur in some living organisms, and are also now extensively exploited by industry and various branches of biomedical science. Luminescence from the natural world, particularly from marine organisms, is increasingly being harnessed by genetic and chemical manipulation to enhance the quality of human life. This volume contains cutting-edge contributions from most of the world's leading researchers in this field. It presents an up-to-date compilation of the range of biomedical, strategic and ecological applications of chemiluminescence and bioluminescence. It documents and highlights the rapid advance in knowledge concerning both the mechanisms and the uses of luminescence, and covers all the important developments of recent years. Contents: Marine Bioluminescence; Firefly Bioluminescence; Chemiluminescence; Applications of Bioluminescence; Applications of Chemiluminescence; Immunoassay and DNA Probe Assays; Cellular Luminescence; Reporter Genes in Cell Biology and Analysis; Luminescence in Science and Education; Instrumentation and Imaging of Luminescence. Readership: Biomedical specialists, biochemists, marine biologists and geneticists.

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence PDF Author: David Lapota
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 9533079401
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
We now find ourselves utilizing luciferase - luciferin proteins, ATP, genes and the whole complex of these interactions to observe and follow the progress or inhibition of tumors in animal models by measuring bioluminescence intensity, spatially and temporally using highly sophisticated camera systems. This book describes applications in preclinical oncology research by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) with a variety of applications. Chapters describe current methodologies for rapid detection of contaminants using the Milliflex system, and the use of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) technology for monitoring physical interactions between proteins in living cells. Others are using bioluminescent proteins for high sensitive optical reporters imaging in living animals, developing pH-tolerant luciferase for brighter in vivo imaging, and oscillation characteristics in bacterial bioluminescence. The book also contains descriptions of the long-term seasonal characteristics of oceanic bioluminescence and the responsible planktonic species producing bioluminescence. Such studies are few and rare.

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence PDF Author: Hirobumi Suzuki
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 1839623853
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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Book Description
This book contains seven chapters on bioluminescence techniques and organisms. On the technical side, the four chapters presented the fluorescent markers of proteins and nanocrystals, imidazopyrazine-type luciferin that emits light when bound to human serum albumin, firefly luciferin that emits near-infrared light, and imaging technique for visualization of promoter activity in fruiting body formation of cellular slime molds Dictyostelium. On the organismal side, the three chapters presented recommendations for the commercial use of fireflies in urban areas from the perspective of conservation biology, the origin of luciferin by predation in marine luminescent organisms, and the ecology and behavior of luminescent organisms from sea to land, which will be of interest to both professionals and students.

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence PDF Author: David J. Rodgerson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781612097473
Category : Bioluminescence
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book presents current research data in the study of the characteristics, adaptations and biotechnology of bioluminescence. Topics discussed include ATP-Driven bioluminescence; the coupling of luciferases to nanomaterials; the characteristics and adaptations of bioluminescent bacterial biosensors for acyl-HSL signal detection, quantification and tentative identification of acyl-HSLs; using bacterial biosensors to determine the toxicity of nanomaterials and other xenobiotics; and, the visual spectral mechanisms and bioluminescent optical signaling in beetles.

Fire in the Sea

Fire in the Sea PDF Author: David A. McKee
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
ISBN: 1623490316
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description
The cold, stygian dark of the extreme sea depths is home to some of our planet’s strangest creatures. Even their names evoke a science fiction adventure: dragonfishes, greeneyes, viperfishes, mirrorbellies, lanternfishes. Marine biologist Henry “Hank” Compton (1928–2005) of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Rockport Marine Lab was present on some of the earliest Gulf of Mexico cruises on which these fishes were collected for the first time in Texas waters. Upon returning, Compton would retire to the darkroom he had constructed beneath a stairwell at the lab and photograph the specimens. A talented artist, Compton then painted watercolors based on his photographs. He allowed free rein to both his scientific judgment and his artistic vision as he constructed representations of how the specimens might have appeared in the crushing pressure of their alien environment. Compton dubbed the series of deep-water paintings “Fire in the Sea” because of the shimmering bioluminescence common to these deep-water species. Then, along with taxonomic descriptions, he drafted fanciful narratives to accompany the paintings: quirky, humorous, and sometimes cryptic stories of the fishes in their unreachable habitat. Professor, researcher, and author David A. McKee has taken Compton’s work, discovered in cardboard boxes following his death, and, along with others, provided chapters on bioluminescence, life in the deep, taxonomic arrangement, and life history information.