Genetically Engineered Cell Shoots Out First-Ever Biological
Laser CREDIT: Malte Gather Some cells fight disease. Other cells
form hair and bone. And now, thanks to some fancy genetic
engineering and a pair of tiny mirrors, a specially altered
kidneycells shoot the first-ever biological laser beams. Admit
it, that is cooler than forming hair.* By harnessing the light-
emitting power of green florescent protein (GFP), scientists
working at Massachusetts General Hospital created the biological
laser merely as a proof of concept. Aside from implying the
future possibility of a self-healing laser that requires no
battery, this breakthrough could allow doctors and scientists to
view the inner workings of individual cells without a
microscope. "The initial motivation was really scientific
curiosity," said Malte Gather, a physicist at Massachusetts
General Hospital who co-created the laser cell. "When we started
with the project, it was close to the 50th anniversary of the
first demonstration of the laser. Everyone h