Scientists create the first living laser using human cells & jellyfish

Posted | Friday 17th June, 2011

Scientists from the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital merged light emitting proteins from jellyfish, with a single human cell to create a unique first; a biological, living laser. This is the first time biological materials have been used to generate light from something that is living they say.

Lasers require two elements: a material which amplifies light called a gain medium, and an arrangement of mirrors to concentrate light waves into a beam. Gain mediums would usually be crystals, semi-conductors or gases, scientists instead used green flourescent protein (GFP) the substance that makes jellyfish bioluminescent to create their living laser. http://fxn.ws/jl7QNB

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