Unveiling bioluminescence: understanding mechanisms and exploring wide-ranging applications
5 affiliations
- 1Post-Graduate Department in Chemistry at the Federal University of Piaui, Terezina, Piaui, Zip code 64000-040, Brazil; Corresponding author.
- 2Post-Graduate Department in Chemistry at the Federal University of Piaui, Terezina, Piaui, Zip code 64000-040, Brazil
- 3Department of Organic Chemistry, Federal Institute of Piaui (IFPI), Campus Teresina, Teresina, PI, Zip code 64000-040, Brazil
- 4Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO., Zip code 59078-970, Brazil
- 5Nucleus of Applied Research to Sciences (NIAC), Federal Institute of Maranhão, Campus Presidente Dutra, Maranhão, Zip code 65760-000, Brazil
Abstract
Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon in which living organisms, including algae, bacteria, fungi, and animal species, emit visible light through biochemical reactions. In most cases, this process involves the oxidation of luciferin catalyzed by luciferase. This review was based on a qualitative literature review of studies indexed in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, with emphasis on the main mechanisms of light emission in different organisms and their applications in biotechnology. It also examines how these systems have been explored in different areas of research, with emphasis on their biochemical basis and technological potential. Reported applications include genetic assays, protein-protein interaction detection, drug discovery, hygiene monitoring, environmental analysis, biosensors, and in vivo imaging. More recent studies have also described biomedical approaches based on light-producing reactions, including photobleaching induced by small molecules and photodynamic strategies for neuronal control. Although recent studies remain limited in some areas, the available literature indicates that this topic continues to support research in medicine, biology, physics, and engineering. In this context, advances in enzyme engineering, biophotonics, computational chemistry, and synthetic chemistry may further expand the use of these systems in biotechnology.
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BibTeX
@article{oliveira2026unveiling,
title = {{Unveiling bioluminescence: understanding mechanisms and exploring wide-ranging applications}},
author = {Maria das Dores A. Oliveira and Chistiane M. Feitosa and Patrícia e S. Alves and Joaquim S.C. Júnior and Nerilson M. Lima and Teresinha de Jesus A.S. Andrade},
journal = {Results in Chemistry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103946},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103946},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Unveiling bioluminescence: understanding mechanisms and exploring wide-ranging applications
AU - Maria das Dores A. Oliveira
AU - Chistiane M. Feitosa
AU - Patrícia e S. Alves
AU - Joaquim S.C. Júnior
AU - Nerilson M. Lima
AU - Teresinha de Jesus A.S. Andrade
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Results in Chemistry
DO - 10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103946
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103946
AB - Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon in which living organisms, including algae, bacteria, fungi, and animal species, emit visible light through biochemical reactions. In most cases, this process involves the oxidation of luciferin catalyzed by luciferase. This review was based on a qualitative literature review of studies indexed in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, with emphasis on the main mechanisms of light emission in different organisms and their applications in biotechnology. It also examines how these systems have been explored in different areas of research, with emphasis on their biochemical basis and technological potential. Reported applications include genetic assays, protein-protein interaction detection, drug discovery, hygiene monitoring, environmental analysis, biosensors, and in vivo imaging. More recent studies have also described biomedical approaches based on light-producing reactions, including photobleaching induced by small molecules and photodynamic strategies for neuronal control. Although recent studies remain limited in some areas, the available literature indicates that this topic continues to support research in medicine, biology, physics, and engineering. In this context, advances in enzyme engineering, biophotonics, computational chemistry, and synthetic chemistry may further expand the use of these systems in biotechnology.
SN - 2211-7156
ER -