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January 19 2000
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An American company has used gene technology to patent a range of luminescent novelties, such as glowing wine. But cancer is its real target, says Anjana Ahuja Glowing drink that may pinpoint cancer cells
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Londoners would never have fretted over the River of Fire that
was supposed to light up the Thames at the Millennium Night
celebrations if Prolume, a company based in Pennsylvania, had
managed to get its act together a little earlier. Instead,
visitors would have popped their champagne corks and created
their own shimmering display, thanks to Prolume's plans to make
glow-in-the-dark bubbly.
This gimmick, for which Prolume recently received a patent, is a somewhat flippant application of bioluminescence, a phenomenon which allows certain creatures, such as fireflies, to glow. The light is produced by two natural chemicals in the creature's body that react when thrown together. Deep-sea animals have also evolved to produce their own glow, because sunlight does not penetrate beyond 100 metres. However, the illumination does not exist purely to make seeing easier - when chased by a predator, some types of squid eject bioluminescent material to temporarily blind their aggressor. Some fish in shallower waters produce dots of light as camouflage, allowing them to vanish amid the sparkle of sunlight on water. And sailors often report seeing the sea glow as the bow of their boat cuts through water - this stems from luminescent algae stirred up by the boat's motion. Some fungi also glow in the dark to attract insects so that its spores can be dispersed. In the finest tradition of start-up companies, the idea of selling bioluminescence started as a flash of inspiration. Dr Bruce Bryan, a surgeon, was cracking open a beer during a power cut when he started wondering about glow-in-the-dark drinks. He rang one of his oldest friends, Gene Finley, a cancer specialist. The unlikely partnership led two years ago to Prolume - company motto: "We make things glow" - and an unusual business plan. Given that it costs more than $10,000 a day to trawl the oceans for luminescent creatures, the company would develop novelty products in order to fund more serious medical work. No stone of ingenuity was left unturned in their quest for dazzling moneyspinners. At Christmas the company persuaded local toy stores to stock Alien Crystals, slimy glowing rocks, and the Squirt Gun, a water-gun that makes water glow when it hits its target. A long-range water-gun is under development. As well as luminous drinks, there are also plans for cake icing and hair mousse. The serious work is yet to come. This will make cancer cells shine so that surgeons can cut them out without fear of leaving any behind. Prolume also hopes to make biosensors - sensors that light up in the presence of certain chemicals, say nerve gas. The secret of bioluminescence in living things lies in the genes. Prolume has genetically profiled 25 luminous ocean dwellers and identified the "luminous" genes in four species. These genes are responsible for manufacturing the chemicals involved in creating the glow. One chemical is a protein called luciferin, after the Latin for light-giver; the other ingredient is an enzyme called luciferase. When these two substances come together, the chemical circuit is complete and the result is a radiant glow that can easily be seen in the dark. To produce commercial quantities of luciferin and luciferase, genes harvested from marine animals are inserted into bacteria. The bacteria then multiply rapidly, creating generous supplies. The radiance created by the chemical reaction, however, does not last for ever. But the Prolume researchers hope to get over this technical hitch. "The idea would be for the luciferase to be in the champagne already," explains Pete Teller, the director of product development at the company. "Then, as you break the seal, luciferin drops in. As the bubbles rise, the two chemicals mix together to give you glowing champagne. It would last maybe 15 minutes, long enough for you to drink it." The prototype is on the way, but the product may not be around to toast in several new years yet. Beer can be modified in the same way - Prolume researchers jokingly refer to it as Bud Light. Teller is particularly excited by another of Prolume's products. "Our biochemists say that by adding a green fluorescent protein to alcohol, the liquid can be made to shine different colours according to the ambient light. Say you were in a nightclub, your drink would change colour as you walked around. It could go from red to green to blue, and then sparkle." Prolume is talking to beer companies, but the Food and Drug Administration will need to be persuaded that the chemicals are safe for consumption. Teller points out that the marine animals from which Prolume collects the genes are already in the food chain, so he does not foresee a problem with FDA licensing. While the novelty products pull in sales and publicity, Prolume is really concerned with medical research. The National Institutes of Health have given the company $300,000 to develop this aspect of its work. One idea is to give cancer patients, prior to surgery, a gene-dosed drink designed to become attached only to cancer cells. Then, during surgery, a fluid containing the complementary glow gene would be sprayed on to the area under investigation. Cancerous tissue would thus reveal itself by glowing, allowing surgeons to cut it out without fear of leaving malignant material behind. Eventually, Prolume predicts, the fluid could be designed to expose other diseases by making trouble spots glow different colours and thus be even more easily seen.
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