Scientists have created plants that glow the dark. They are hoping to produce plants that can light our lives. The scientists are the Massachusetts Institute Technology the USA. They hope their discovery could lead to plant lights replacing electric lights. One day, even light that trees produce could replace street lights. Professor Michael Strano, lead author the research, explained that his team wants to create sustainable light sources and help the environment. He said: "The vision is to make a plant that will function a desk lamp - a lamp that you don't have to plug . The light is ultimately powered the energy metabolism the plant itself."
The researchers got the idea their lighting plants fireflies. They looked the substance in fireflies that makes them glow. They created nanoparticles that contain the substance. They then put the nanoparticles plant leaves to make them glow. The scientists were able to make plants that glowed nearly four hours. The research team has tested the substance salad leaves, including spinach and watercress. Professor Strano said: "Our target is to perform one treatment, when the plant is a seedling or a mature plant, and have it last the lifetime the plant." He thinks plant lights will be a part our life the future. He said: "We think this is an idea whose time has come."
