Researchers have unlocked the genetic code behind some of the brightest and most vibrant colours in nature.
The paper, published in the journal PNAS, is the first study of the genetics of structural colour – as seen in butterfly wings and peacock feathers – and paves the way for genetic research in a variety of structurally coloured organisms.
This is the first systematic study of the genes underpinning structural colours — not only in bacteria but in any living system.
Villads Egede Johansen
The study is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and Dutch company Hoekmine BV and shows how genetics can change the colour, and appearance, of certain types of bacteria. The results open up the possibility of harvesting these bacteria for the large-scale manufacturing of nanostructured materials: biodegradable, non-toxic paints could be ‘grown’ and not made, for example.
Flavobacterium is a type of bacteria that packs together in colonies that produce striking metallic colours, which come not from pigments, but from their internal structure, which reflects light at certain wavelengths. Scientists are still puzzled as to how these intricate structures are genetically engineered by nature, however.
“It is crucial to map the genes responsible for the structural colouration for further understanding of how nanostructures are engineered in nature,” said first author Villads Egede Johansen, from Cambridge’s Department of Chemistry. “This is the first systematic study of the genes underpinning structural colours — not only in bacteria but in any living system.”
The researchers compared the genetic information to optical properties and anatomy of wild-type and mutated bacterial colonies to understand how genes regulate the colour of the colony.
By genetically mutating the bacteria, the researchers changed their dimensions or their ability to move, which altered the geometry of the colonies. By changing the geometry, they changed the colour: they changed the original metallic green colour of the colony in the entire visible range from blue to red. They were also able to create duller colouration or make the colour disappear entirely.
“We mapped several genes with previously unknown functions and we correlated them to the colonies’ self-organisational capacity and their colouration,” said senior author Dr Colin Ingham, CEO of Hoekmine BV.
“From an applied perspective, this bacterial system allows us to achieve tuneable living photonic structures that can be reproduced in abundance, avoiding traditional nanofabrication methods,” said co-senior author Dr Silvia Vignolini from the Cambridge’s Department of Chemistry. “We see a potential in the use of such bacterial colonies as photonic pigments that can be readily optimised for changing colouration under external stimuli and that can interface with other living tissues, thereby adapting to variable environments. The future is open for biodegradable paints on our cars and walls — simply by growing exactly the colour and appearance we want!”
Learn more: In living colour: Brightly-colored bacteria could be used to ‘grow’ paints and coatings
The Latest on: Biodegradable paints
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Biodegradable paints” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Biodegradable paints
- 2010 Polo Painted In Audi’s Java Green Color: Looks Beautiful [Video]on April 26, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Want to see a 2010 Polo transformed with Audi's Java Green paint? Watch the video to witness the stunning makeover! Looks extremely beautiful after facelift.
- Tortured Poets Club: 5 valuable money lessons from Taylor Swift’s new albumon April 26, 2024 at 9:14 pm
Taylor Swift's new album Tortured Poets Department is a hit among fans. Smart investors can learn from her songs about heartbreak and resilience. Having a backup plan is crucial in the financial world ...
- The Paint Color That Makes Your Home Look Instantly Datedon April 26, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Painting for yourself and painting to entice a potential buyer are two different ball games. When you’re repainting a home you live in, you can paint in any hue your color-loving heart desires. But if ...
- How Nicholson Baker learned to paint, without the help of Bob Rosson April 26, 2024 at 5:00 am
The celebrated novelist talks about his book “Finding a Likeness,” and what his triumphs and failures with a paintbrush have taught him.
- 2025 Corvette To Introduce Three New Paint Colorson April 25, 2024 at 3:22 pm
Chevy has announced a trio of new paint colors for the 2025 Corvette, including a yellow, a purple, and an orange. Check out the new Corvette C8 colors here.
- The Eye-Catching Shade Of Paint Color That Can Devalue Your Homeon April 24, 2024 at 4:00 pm
As a homeowner, you may want to make alterations to make your house truly feel like home. However, this paint color may not be a good look if you ever sell.
- Green Coatings Market Set to Surge: Projected to Reach US$ 213.83 Billion by 2033on April 24, 2024 at 2:28 am
According to the research report published by Future Market Insights, the global market is projected to be worth US$ 131.27 billion in 2023. It is likely to reach a valuation of US$ 213.83 billion by ...
- Green Seal Releases 2024 Impact Reporton April 23, 2024 at 10:43 am
Green Seal announced the release of its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the meaningful impacts the global nonprofit and the brands that partner with it achieved over the past year.
- Army Painter’s new miniature paints are here to give James Workshop a run for his moneyon April 22, 2024 at 9:27 am
The Army Painter’s Warpaints Fanatic sets run the gamut from the monstrous, limited edition Complete Set that goes for $759 on its website ( $695 on Amazon ), to a diminutive Starter Set for about $40 ...
- OpenAI winds down AI image generator that blew minds and forged friendships in 2022on April 18, 2024 at 4:00 am
The launch began an innovative and tumultuous period in AI history, marked by a sense of wonder and a polarizing ethical debate that reverberates in the AI space to this day. Last week, OpenAI turned ...
via Bing News