Bioluminescent algae are 3D-printed into glowing hydrogel shapes

5 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 6

At the University of Colorado Boulder, Giulia Brachi's team used acid to trigger Pyrocystis lunula to glow for up to 25 minutes, reporting the work in Science Advances.
The researchers printed blobby forms including a crescent moon, aiming for living light that could power glowsticks, bracelets or biosensors detecting environmental toxins.
Outside experts called it an interesting first step but warned real-world use and algae survival at pH 4 may be difficult, though bioluminescence could cut disposable battery waste.

We can now control their glow, but why did these mysterious ocean algae evolve to light up at all?

Can living lights replace our batteries, or is the biological cost for this convenience simply too high?