Shedding new light on bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is an essential trait of several organisms, prevalent in marine environments but rare on land and almost nonexistent in freshwater. This often poses a challenge to scientific research studying the phenomenon of bioluminescence. Specifically, one of the main unknowns concerns the specific mechanism and variations of bioluminescence among different species, as well as the factors controlling its intensity and color. We review the advances in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and quantum mechanics which provide new tools for exploring these phenomena. Whitin the project 'OneAquaHealth' (https://www.oneaquahealth.eu/), sampling of arthropod species producing bioluminescence was carried out along the banks of the streams chosen as sampling sites for biodiversity (WP2) in the urban area of Benevento. During sampling, one species of arthropod (Lampyris fuscata) was encountered, and it is of particular interest in consideration of the specific environment of investigated area rich in biodiversity and of significant naturalistic value. These results associated to the project aim stimulate further research towards other terrestrial animalia showing the biochemical phenomenon of luminescence. The "Bioelectronics Task Force" of the University of Federico II works with a multidisciplinary research approach that evaluates the interactions and connections between biological subjects and electronic objects and promoted this study.