Scientists engineer laser-emitting cells, bring us one step closer to a Laser Cats future

Lasers have enabled us to transmit data at ridiculously high speeds , kill mosquitoes , and, of course, turn boats into flaming ruins . So what’s next for these photonic wonders? How about lasers made from biological cells? Current lasing media — the materials that amplify light — are usually gas, semiconductors, or crystals doped with rare-earth compounds. But a Harvard Medical team has created a biological lasing medium, using a genetically engineered kidney cell. The cell produced Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), the chemical that makes some jellyfish glow in the dark. The team put the GFP between two mirrors and fired pulses of light into it – and presto, a tiny green laser. There’s little practical application for this research so far, but come on: how soon until we have cats shooting deadly light-beams from their mouths? Scientists engineer laser-emitting cells, bring us one step closer to a Laser Cats future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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