Photobacterium phosphoreum
| Photobacterium phosphoreum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Vibrionales |
| Family: | Vibrionaceae |
| Genus: | Photobacterium |
| Species: | P. phosphoreum |
| Binomial name | |
| Photobacterium phosphoreum | |
Photobacterium phosphoreum or Vibrio phosphoreum is a Gram-negative bioluminescent bacterium living in symbiosis with marine organisms. It can emit bluish-green light (490 nm) due to a chemical reaction between FMN, luciferin and molecular oxygen catalysed by an enzyme called Luciferase.
In Popular Culture
P. phosphoreum appeared on the partially decomposed remains of a celebrity chef in the second season of Bones. In the episode ("The Glowing Bones in the Old Stone House," Episode 2.20), the bacteria entered the victim's body via transfer off the murder weapon. Dr. Hodgins later used shrimp and crab legs bearing the bacteria to spell out "Be My Love" as a message to Angela Montenegro.