Description:
Luciferase is an enzyme that is used in bioluminescence. Luciferase most famous form is the one found in fireflies. In this form Luciferase works in a very unique way. It binds with green fluorescent protein that is responsible for the green light emitted by the fireflies. The substrate is available for oxidation by the Luciferase and the energy that is released as a photon of green light produces the green color. For our purposes however, the Luciferase found in fireflies alone is not very relevant, but more a combination of it. Luciferase has applications in the biomedical field, as well in other biological fields such as in blood banks to tell if red blood cells are degrading. Another use is in forensic sciences where it is used in a solution that can uncover blood traces in crime scenes. It is also used in protein denaturation due to its high heat sensitivity.