11. Luciferase genes can be synthesized and inserted into organisms or transfected into cells.12. Pharmaceutical companies are using luciferase as a marker to identify potentially useful chemical compounds. 13. Conversely, luciferase enzymes vary widely and tend to be different in each species. 14. Diagram of the secondary structure of firefly luciferase . 15. The opportunities for using luciferase continue to expand. 16. Bioluminescence is produced through activation of luciferase in the cell's plasma membrane. 17. Researchers insert the luciferase gene into the TB bacteria and allow the bacteria to multiply. 18. But when it dies, the luciferase gene becomes inactive and the light goes out. 19. Luciferase can be produced in the lab through genetic engineering for a number of purposes.20. Luciferase is a generic name for an enzyme that catalyzes a light-emitting reaction.
