Pretty much, yes. Learning how to design modified versions of fluorescent proteins took some time + quite a bit of research, but people have gotten pretty good at it.
you may find this interesting, these are a range of engineered fluorescent proteins available over 20 years ago. Many more are available now, AFAIK the entire visual spectrum is available for purchase now.
> are those colors just the best evolutionary fit for the environment?
Again, pretty much yes. There's no technical reason why certain colors of fluorescent protein couldn't have evolved naturally, so the fact that they didn't suggests that for whatever reason they aren't advantageous.
meaningless_name t1_j9lolh0 wrote
Reply to How many colors can bioluminescence make? by Aximi1l
> couldn't any color be replicated?
Pretty much, yes. Learning how to design modified versions of fluorescent proteins took some time + quite a bit of research, but people have gotten pretty good at it.
you may find this interesting, these are a range of engineered fluorescent proteins available over 20 years ago. Many more are available now, AFAIK the entire visual spectrum is available for purchase now.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Olga-Markova-2/publication/299382987/figure/fig1/AS:650036895576076@1531992281254/Palette-of-fluorescent-proteins-Engineered-fluorescent-proteins-cover-the-full-visible.png
> are those colors just the best evolutionary fit for the environment?
Again, pretty much yes. There's no technical reason why certain colors of fluorescent protein couldn't have evolved naturally, so the fact that they didn't suggests that for whatever reason they aren't advantageous.