LIVING LIGHTS: MERGING THE WORLDS OF NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT ENERGY CRISES

Abstract

Energy crisis has proved to be one of the biggest issues in accordance to day-by-day increase in world‘s population. The knowledge of synthetic biology, biotechnology and genetic engineering has proven to be the best, environment friendly and cheap approach towards this problem. In order to cope up with these energy needs, Bioluminescence can be put to use. The incorporation of the lighting phenomenon into other living organisms such as trees and algae can lead to many significant products to meet the needs of energy demands. This process involves the incorporation of illuminating enzymes from bioluminescent organisms into organisms of desired needs. The proper incorporation of these enzymes in organisms may lead to a lighting solution without the use of electricity. This phenomenon can be put to use in the production of bioluminescent trees, bioluminescent algae and a relatively new concept of bio-photovoltaic panels that may prove to be the new lighting source in near future