Geneticist Theo Sanderson, one of the members of the team, told New Scientist: ‘We didn't end up making bioluminescent trees, which was the inspiration for the project.‘But we decided to make a set of parts that would allow future researchers to use bioluminescence more effectively.’The team say that there is huge commercial potential in replacing the street with natural bioluminescent systems. The idea is also extremely environmentally friendly as no electricity would be required and the process which produces the photons of light is extremely energy-efficient.
遗传学者Theo Sanderson告诉媒体:“我们在研究荧光树的道路上也许会遇到阻碍,但是我们不会放弃。我们取得的一点点进展,都会让生物体发光终变成现实。”研究者还说,这项研究项目将具有重大的潜在商业意义,如果试验取得实质性进展,全球各大厂商将会乐意为我们投资。主要还是因为该项目十分环保、而且节约能源。
The scientists have also considered the possibility that the fuel to fire the chemical reaction in the trees could come from human waste or food waste.
与此同时,科学家还考虑将“人类废弃物”变成新能源,运用在生物体发光的项目中,如此说来,电影《阿凡达》中五颜六色的“荧光树”不再是虚拟的,未来有可能成为现实呢!