NOTICE: This page is being retained for reference purposes only and is no longer being updated or maintained.
In terms of biotechnological potential, this red fluorescent starfish is one of the most promising animals studied thus far on this mission. Its red fluorescent pigment, concentrated in the skin, is bright and has a desirable far-red fluorescent peak. It is not extractable with organic solvents, which indicates that it might be related to the green fluorescent protein family. It can potentially be used as a genetically encoded fluorescent label. Imagine the potential for science if you are able to assign a fluorescence to a particular group of cells, then visually track them. Samples of the starfish skin have been fixed for molecular characterization after the trip. Image courtesy Mikhail V. Matz.
Related Links
