To make animals and plants glow in the dark, luminescent genes can be introduced into their genomes through genetic engineering. The following are the main steps and techniques to achieve this goal： ### 1. **Select luminescent gene** -**Fluorescent protein gene**: The most commonly used are green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes from jellyfish (*Aequorea victoria*), or fluorescent protein genes from other organisms (such as red fluorescent protein RFP, blue fluorescent protein BFP, etc.). -**Bioluminescent genes**: Genes from luminescent organisms (such as fireflies, luminescent bacteria, etc.), such as the luciferase gene of fireflies (*luciferase*). These genes can catalyze luminescence reactions in organisms. ### 2. **Gene vector construction** -Insert the selected luminescent gene into a suitable vector, such as a plasmid or viral vector. The vector needs to contain a promoter (such as a constitutive promoter or a tissue-specific promoter) to control gene expression. ### 3. **Gene introduction** -**Plants**: Luminescent genes are introduced into plant cells through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or biolistic particle delivery. - **Animals**: Luminescent genes are introduced into animal embryos or specific cells through microinjection, viral vectors, or CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. ### 4. **Screening and training** -Screen the transformed cells or embryos to select individuals who successfully express the luminescent gene. -Through tissue culture or conventional breeding methods, stable individual animals and plants are cultivated. ### 5. **Optimize expression** -Adjust regulatory elements such as promoter or enhancer to optimize the expression intensity and stability of luminescent genes. -For bioluminescence systems, it may be necessary to introduce fluorescein (substrate) or optimize metabolic pathways to ensure the continuity of the luminescence response. ### 6. **Application and testing** -Apply luminous plants and animals to actual scenes, such as interior decoration, road lighting or emergency instructions. -Test its luminous intensity, stability and environmental impact. ### 7. **Ethics and safety assessment** -Assess the potential impact of genetic modification on the ecosystem to ensure that it will not cause biological invasion or genetic pollution. - Comply with relevant laws and regulations to ensure the safety and ethics of technology. ### Precautions -The expression of luminescent genes may consume the energy of an organism and affect its normal growth and development. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the luminescence effect with biological health. -The brightness of bioluminescence may not be enough to completely replace traditional lighting, but it can be used as a supplement or for special purposes. Through the above methods, animals and plants that emit light in the dark can be developed, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to biological lighting.