Navigation Links
Scripps scientists discover fluorescence in key marine creature
Date:10/30/2007

Fluorescent proteins found in nature have been employed in a variety of scientific research purposes, from markers for tracing molecules in biomedicine to probes for testing environmental quality. Until now, such proteins have been identified mostly in jellyfish and corals, leading to the belief that the capacity for fluorescence in animals is exclusive to such primitive creatures.

Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have discovered fluorescent-light emitting features in an evolutionarily important marine organism and say such a capacity may be much more prevalent across the animal kingdom than previously believed.

In the cover story of the October issue of Biological Bulletin, Dimitri Deheyn and his colleagues in La Jolla, Calif. and Japan describe finding green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) in amphioxus, a fish-like animal closely studied by scientists due to its evolutionarily important position at the base of a large phylum of animals called chordates. The researchers say amphioxus GFPs are very similar to those of corals, an interesting fact since the two animal groups are separated by hundreds of millions of years of evolution.

The finding emphasizes the idea that evolutionary preservation of fluorescence must play an important ecological function, Deheyn said. Many animals havent been tested for fluorescence and its prevalence in the animal kingdom remains unknown.

Deheyn made the discovery while analyzing a dozen specimens of the small, slender marine animals collected in Tampa, Fla., by Nick Holland, a professor of marine biology at Scripps and a paper coauthor.

When I put the specimens under the blue light (used for evoking fluorescence), every single amphioxus had a bright green area in the anterior that was fluorescent, said Deheyn.

Follow-on analyses in the Tampa specimens, along with similar species samples from France and Japan, revealed details of how the fluorescence spreads along the animal
'/>"/>

Contact: Mario Aguilera
scrippsnews@ucsd.edu
858-534-3624
University of California - San Diego  
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Scripps scientists find potential for catastrophic shifts in Pacific ecosystems
2. To Stop Evolution: New Way Of Fighting Antibiotic Resistance Demonstrated By Scripps Scientists
3. Scripps research scientists identify infertility molecule
4. Scripps research scientists solve structure of a critical innate immune system protein
5. New Scripps Oceanography project to study sediments and ecosystem restoration in Venice lagoon
6. Scripps Research study reveals new activation mechanism for pain sensing channel
7. Scripps research team discovers a chemical pathway that causes mice to overeat and gain weight
8. Scripps research study reveals structural dynamics of single prion molecules
9. Scripps research study shows humans and plants share common regulatory pathway
10. Scripps research team sheds light on long-sought cold sensation gene
11. Wisconsin scientists grow critical nerve cells
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Scripps scientists discover fluorescence in key marine creature
(Date:5/22/2013)... potential environmental and human health effects from disposal ... has led scientists to recommend stronger government policies ... (Li-ion) battery materials. That,s the conclusion of a ... Science & Technology . , Oladele A. Ogunseitan ... become mainstays for powering everything from smart phones ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... on how climate change will affect interactions between species ... Journal of Animal Ecology . This knowledge, they say, ... of how species are likely to be impacted by ... recognition among biologists that climate change is affecting how ... going to have very important consequences for the stability ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... known as phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are odorless, colorless ... flooring, plastic cups, beach balls, plastic wrap, intravenous ... and Preventionthe bodies of most Americans. Once perceived ... A growing collection of evidence suggests dietary exposure ... mix with food) may cause significant metabolic and ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):UCLA life scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions 2UCLA life scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions 3UCLA life scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions 4UCLA life scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions 5Study links chemicals widely found in plastics and processed food to elevated blood pressure in children and teens 2
... UCLA researchers have redefined the concept of a microscope by ... enough to fit in the palm of a hand but ... The advance, featured this week in the ... National Academy of Sciences , represents the first demonstration of ...
... the intentional introduction of exotic species to fulfil key ... species, is highly controversial, partly due to a lack ... today in Current Biology , Christine Griffiths of ... first empirical evidence that rewilding can work. Exotic ...
... , Engineering researchers the University of Southern California have ... for the construction of a synthetic brain. They have ... tests reproduces the function of a neuron, the building ... led by Professor Alice Parker and Professor Chongwu Zhou ...
Cached Biology News:Optical microscope without lenses produces high-resolution 3-D images on a chip 2Optical microscope without lenses produces high-resolution 3-D images on a chip 3Giant tortoises show rewilding can work 2Researchers create functioning synapse using carbon nanotubes 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... MUNDELEIN, Ill. , May 23, 2013 ... company providing value-added ingredients to a variety of industries, ... participated in a panel discussion at this year,s National ... May 20-21, 2013, on behalf of the Research Chefs ... Development for Restaurants: The Good, the Bad and the ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 ... African-Americans in STEM industries, Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), ... Day on June 8, 2013. This all-day event will ... arena, and learn the ins and outs from many ... to 3 p.m. at the New Jersey Institute of ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... -- Verenium Corporation (Nasdaq: VRNM ), a leading ... of high-performance enzymes, today announced that Jeffrey ... two upcoming conferences. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120924/MM79973LOGO ) ... Annual Marcum LLP Microcap Conference on Thursday, May 30, ... City.  The presentation is scheduled to begin at 4:30 ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 23, 2013 Pusan National ... a private biotherapeutics and contract research company focused ... for cancer, announced today a publication reporting the ... with the oncolytic and immunotherapeutic vaccinia JX-594 (pexastimogene ... was published in the May 15 th , ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Z Trim's Chef Erin Ryan sits on Expert Panel at NRA Show 2Z Trim's Chef Erin Ryan sits on Expert Panel at NRA Show 3Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) New Jersey Hosts 10th Annual Families in Technology Day June 8, 2013 2Verenium To Present At Two Upcoming Conferences 2Verenium To Present At Two Upcoming Conferences 3Pusan National University Announces Science Translational Medicine Publication Highlighting Landmark Demonstration of Functional Anti-Cancer Antibody Induction in Patients Following JX-594 Treatment 2Pusan National University Announces Science Translational Medicine Publication Highlighting Landmark Demonstration of Functional Anti-Cancer Antibody Induction in Patients Following JX-594 Treatment 3
... The inaugural  European Neurotech Investing & Partnering ... keynotes on the state of the European neurotech industry, investor ... next generation treatments emerging in the EU for unmet needs ... , s, addiction, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson , ...
... it,s at the farthest end of the far infrared ... the airport to designing drugs to diagnosing skin cancer. Now, ... Energy,s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University ... of graphene the remarkable form of carbon that,s only ...
... PLAINFIELD, N.J. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass.,  Sept. 2, 2011 ... company, announced today the restructuring of their collaboration. ... for the U.S. and Canada and Genzyme held ... restructured agreement, PTC regains worldwide rights to ataluren ...
Cached Biology Technology:High-Level Neurotech Summit Brings Companies, Researchers and Investors Together in Helsinki 2High-Level Neurotech Summit Brings Companies, Researchers and Investors Together in Helsinki 3A whole new light on graphene metamaterials 2A whole new light on graphene metamaterials 3PTC Therapeutics and Genzyme Announce Restructuring of Collaboration 2PTC Therapeutics and Genzyme Announce Restructuring of Collaboration 3
Presenilin-1, N-terminus....
Human Kallikrein 1 MAb (Clone 323803) Protein Family: Serine Proteases...
... stem cells (HSC) are well-characterized tissue-specific stem ... are responsible for the life-long maintenance of ... that reside in adult bone marrow where ... also be found in cord blood, fetal ...
MOUSE ANTI PORCINE SLA 1:FITC Immunogen: Porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells....
Biology Products: