Putting Jellyfish Proteins in Human Cells Makes Lasers

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Im kind of wondering what the practical applications of this is?

Doctors could turn the patients cells into lasers? How would that even work. Could it help in trating inoperable tumors or scar tissue within spinal columns to heal paralysis where it would normally be too dangerous to laser. Hmm, exciting.

If people had cells with bioluminescent proteins in them, then yeah you are pretty much right on. A cell which would be cancerous, or tumours would produce abundant amounts of these bioluminescent proteins, so this would make it easier to track or "mark" these potentially cancerous cells or tumours. So cancerous tumours would be locaed early in development.

It's actually really exciting, if you read my post on the previous page I mentioned I actually saw bioluminescent jellyfish proteins in other cells before. Cool someone else picked out the cancer thing though too!

Well history and literature is more my thing, but anything that makes that terrible disease easier to treat is well worth the investment and time.

 

[Sarge034]

Wait. Does this mean that I will have to strap a kidney on my gun in the future? I imagine that could get messy, and rise questions of ethics.... but if that is where science is taking us.

Damn the torpedoes, FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!!

 

[ryo02]

wonder if this could lead to man portable laser weapons (carried by a man/woman not part of you)

 

[Dfskelleton]

Yes. I mean, just yes. Jellyfish protein laser cells... that takes the word "awesome" to unexplored levels.

 

[Coffinshaker]

damn right I want laser kidneys!!! hell, can you imagine it? we could be made completely out of lasers!

 

[newwiseman]

Tell me when I can get this with a mentally controlled on off option so I can shoot lights from my hand like I'm God Damn Goku.

so in the near future women who get annoyed when men stare at their boobs could burn those guys eyes out?

More likly the girl will be the one in pain, case and point http://www.voshy.com/videos/view.php?id=Where-Guys-Look_c2yfd

 

[PH3NOmenon]

The best part? The human cell wasn't harmed at all during the process.

Wat?

Transgene cells can still perform their non-modified function, it's true. But they had to insert and position 20 mm mirrors next to the cell. These mirrors aren't biologically formed...

While undoubtedly a cool feat, actual practical applications of the laser (like surgery, or becoming a superhero) are probably a long way off. Meanwhile, the inclusion of GFP is already applied in the study of many pathways.

Regardless, it sure is a cool bit of news that speaks to the imagination!

 

[Baldry]

In what ways will this make touching myself easier?

Thank you for asking the important questions.

I just wanna be able to shoot lasers outta ma hands...Please science?!

 

[-Dragmire-]

Eventual practical use: cosplayers won't need paint anymore to change their skin color.

Spoiler: Also...

Soon, it will be a reality

 

[Atmos Duality]

So this means we could make bio-luminescent tattoos? Very sweet.

 

[justnotcricket]

Awww...

This is still awesome, but they had to pump it with one of those lifeless, poisonous lasers in order to get it to lase...

So the original lasers are still required...

 

[Iron Lightning]

Ehhh, I'm unimpressed. Basically they just injected a non-toxic lasing compound into a human cell and constructed a rudimentary laser around it. It doesn't really have any medical application as any information that could be gained by the light emitted by this process could only come from either an extracted cell or a cell accessed through major surgery.

 

[idodo35]

awsome!! im going to the see to get a jelly fish and then ill be able to shoot lasers from my pupik!!! (belly buton)

 

[darthricardo]

Soooo... Cyclops is part jellyfish?
Cool.

 

[Tuqui]

So....Will I be able to shoot lasers out of my kidney in the near future?

Kidneys, my friend kidneys. Science will soon give us not one but two kidney lasers.

I'll see your kidney laser and raise you a pancreas beam.

I see your pancreas beam and raise you a colon aurora.

 

[Racecarlock]

The future is awesome.

When I hold a 32gb micro SD card in my hand and think that this tiny piece of plastic and metal the size of my fingernail can hold millions of pages of text or about 50 dvd quality movies it sends chills down my spine.

My kids will never ask the question "what is ....." they will always have a computer within reach and nearly all of the information in the world at their fingertips. They will never get lost because they will carry a device in their pocket that will instantly show their location and a map of the surrounding area. They will have instant communication with everyone they know no matter where on the planet that person is.

Its like growing up in a magical fantasy world.

And all of that information will be available after sitting through an hour of ads. His GPS will also attempt to randomly redirect him to various applebees restaurants and will also have tons of ads, and holographic advertisements will scan his eyes and address him by full name while talking about their products. I bet even his clothing will be filled with Ford and Coca Cola ads.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Luminous tattoos would be cool.

 

[Unclever title]

Suddenly the phrase: "BEHOLD MY HUMAN LASER!" [http://www.nuklearpower.com/2008/10/14/episode-1046-anatomically-correct/] just took on a new and downright literal meaning.

 

[carpathic]

It strikes me that this could prove to be extremely useful for miners. No more batteries, just run the lights using your own fat cells.