A Naturally Luminescent Plant Unveiled

New Gene Discovery Simplifies Creation of Light-Emitting Plants

Firefly Petunias Emit Continuous Green Glow

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying a native plant gene that significantly simplifies the process of creating light-emitting plants. This breakthrough, published in the journal Science Advances, reveals a naturally occurring gene that enables plants to produce their own light, eliminating the need for complex genetic engineering techniques.

The discovery centers around a specific plant species known as firefly petunias, which have been genetically modified to emit a continuous green glow. By analyzing the petunias' genetic makeup, researchers identified a gene responsible for this luminescence. This gene, derived from a light-up mushroom, has the remarkable ability to produce a continuous and stable glow in plants.