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A Genetically Engineered Fly That Can Smell Light

Posted by timothy on from the lsd-way-cheaper dept.

An anonymous reader writes "It sounds like a cool — if somewhat pointless — super-powered insect: a fly that can smell light! Researchers added a light-sensitive protein to a fruit fly's olfactory neurons, which caused the neurons to fire when the fly was exposed to a certain wavelength of blue light. Adding the protein specifically to neurons that respond to good smells, like bananas, makes for a light-seeking fly."

1 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. What a wasted opportunity by Shadow+of+Eternity · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They could've made them think a wavelength smells terrible and then sold fly repellant lightbulbs.

    --
    A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."