Tiny lasers from living cells

Tiny lasers from living cells
NSF-funded researchers have discovered a way to turn biological cells into microscopic lasers. 
Scientists at Harvard Medical School, in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, invented a new type of laser made of live biological cells.

The researchers have also for the first time implanted a microscopic laser into a single cell. 
By injecting cells with a mixture of oil (or fat) combined with a fluorescent dye, cells develop the ability to reflect or amplify light when activated. Thus creating a laser.

Reference:
http://theconversation.com/we-transformed-living-cells-into-tiny-lasers-45072

Article:
http://io9.com/how-researchers-transformed-living-cells-into-tiny-lase-1720436656

Image: Inserting an optical fibre into a piece of pig’s skin to excite and extract the laser light generated by subcutaneous fat cells.
Matjaž Humar and Seok Hyun Yun, CC BY-ND.

#scitech   #research   #biotechnology