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Connecticut College professor receives funding to continue research on bioluminescence in defense technology
May 23, 2007
For immediate release
NEW LONDON, Conn. - A Connecticut College chemistry professor is continuing his research to find out if fireflies can effectively support Blackhawks, Tomcats and Warthogs.
Bruce Branchini, the Hans and Ella McCollum-Vahlteich ´21 Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a $220,750 grant from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research to study the feasibility of using bioluminescent materials, like those found naturally in fireflies and jellyfish, for use in military applications - including landing zone markers, security systems and in anti-tamper technology.
The naturally occurring enzymes - no batteries required - could theoretically be used to temporarily mark a landing strip with biodegradable materials.
Branchini will work to produce enzymes with tailored emission characteristics, such as duration of light emission, emission maximization, color and stability. According to Branchini, bioluminescent enzymes can be manipulated so the light emission can be activated automatically, the emission can be bright, or soft, and the enzyme will decay after lighting for either a few seconds or for up to an hour.
"Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon that has fascinated children, challenged those who have tried to understand it, and provided the basis for an important research tool which has been applied in ways beneficial to human health," Branchini said.
Bioluminescent materials are non-toxic, biodegradable and emit light only under proper activation.
Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms. Bioluminescence can be found throughout nature in bacteria, mushrooms, jellyfish, sea stars, sea lilies, earthworms, clams, fish, beetles and approximately 2,000 species of fireflies.
Branchini has worked with undergraduates, research assistants and fellow researchers for more than 30 years investigating the biochemistry behind bioluminescence and potential applications.
This grant is being funded entirely by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
Ranked among the most selective private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Connecticut College enrolls 1,900 men and women from 43 states and 45 countries. The college is known for putting the liberal arts into action through interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. Founded in 1911, the college operates under an 85-year-old honor code. The college is located at 270 Mohegan Ave, New London, about two hours by car from Boston and New York. The 750-acre campus is an arboretum overlooking Long Island Sound. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.
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For more information contact: Amy Sullivan (860) 439-2526; amy.sullivan@conncoll.edu