Summary
UCLA and University of Hawaii researchers have discovered a novel protein family with unique iridescent and reflective properties.
Background
Reflective tissue can be found in many marine animals. This biological advantage protects the animals from predators by altering incident light and changing visibility. In many aquatic animals this is achieved through accumulation of purine crystals in the reflector platelets. Uniquely, squids express reflectins, a protein family, which confers the reflectivity characteristics. Improved understanding of reflectivity traits may promote technical advances in bioreflectors, biological tracers, and many other technologies requiring visualization of nanoscale structures.
Innovation
Dr. Joseph Horwitz from UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute and colleagues from the University of Hawaii have discovered a unique protein family in squid that possesses distinctive iridescent and reflective characteristics and that are sensitive to chemical stimulation. Other forms of reflectivity in animal tissues are achieved with non-protein based molecules, such as purines, and reflectivity is therefore static in these tissues. The reflectins, on the other hand, are proteins and retain the ability to be expressed variably as well as statically. The reflectins are therefore ideal candidates for protein engineering purposes and have potential utility in biological marker development, assay development, the fabrication of photonic crystal and bandgap devices, as well as in the organization of nanomaterial.
Applications
Advantages
State Of Development
Validation in cell culture systems.