Use bacteria to ... take pictures

Researchers have developed a unique camera-based film from layers of bacteria that are sensitive to light. It takes 4 hours to capture and only works in red light, the quality of the film also reaches high resolution.

Researchers use bacterial membranes to create images of the 'flying spaghetti monster' (FSM).

This ' live camera ' uses light to convert genes in the bacteria, and then creates a 'photochemical chemical' that can darken. At a small size, the bacteria allows the sensor to transmit a resolution of 100 megapixels / 2.5 cm2.

To build a bio-sensor, the team led by Chris Voigt at the University of California (USA) selects E. coli bacteria in contaminated food. They put the genes from green algae into the cell membrane of E.Coli. Each gene encodes a protein that reacts to red light. Once activated, the protein turns off the ability of a second gene to turn black. As a result, a single color image will be displayed on the thick E.Coli variant.

The ' live camera ' will never appear at booths that only serve in gene research. But their success by creating a series of microbes that react with light paved the way for the development of nanotechnology in which tiny specks were produced with high precision by means of light rays.

The team is continuing to expand the color range in the sensor. Maybe they will use retinol, which helps the retina to feel different colors.

PT (NewScientist)