This unique glow-worm chemistry could also eventually be adapted to help counter serious disease, through the production of bioluminescent markers that could monitor cancer cells, and identify infectious diseases.
All this New Zealand glowing has been further highlighted in a short online video of glow-worms in the Dunedin area, and of the Otago researchers.
"We’re really excited," Otago biochemist Dr Miriam Sharpe said.
A multi-year study of the bioluminescence produced by the glow-worms was undertaken between the Otago chemistry and biochemistry departments.It was published yesterday in the online science journal, Scientific Reports.
Lead authors Dr Oliver Watkins and Dr Sharpe, working with Profs Nigel Perry and Kurt Krause discovered that New Zealand glow-worms produce their light using a chemical reaction that is different from that seen in all other glowing creatures, such as fireflies.
Light made by living creatures comes from chemical reactions in enzymes called luciferases. Dr Sharpe said the glow-worm luciferase enzyme was related to "enzymes already found in other bioluminescent organisms like fireflies".
But the chemical, called a luciferin, that made the light in the New Zealand glow-worms was "unique, not used by any other glowing organism".
Prof Krause said the glow-worm luciferin could eventually be used in laboratories to "monitor cancer cells" or help identify infectious diseases. Dr Sharpe’s work was supported by the former Foundation for Research Science and Innovation, now the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and by the Marsden Fund.