Almost like super powers: Newly developed injection night makes vision possible

Study shows how nanoparticles, the vision can expand

An American-Chinese research team tested recently successful in a new substance that enables it to see in the dark. After a single injection, the mice in which the substance was tested got up to ten weeks, and the ability to infrared vision. Tiny little nano-particles to change after the injection, the wavelength at which the eye perceives light and, thus, enabled to See in the dark. The research team also keeps an application in humans is possible.

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School have developed a substance that gives the ability for night vision. It sounds like it’s sprung straight out of a Marvel Comic, but in reality, the latest High-Tech. The injected nano-particles have extended the spectrum of visible light, so that the mice could see after the injection of infrared light. The results of the research were recently presented in the prestigious scientific journal “Cell”.

Why are we in the dark, nothing can see

The human eye, and the eye of a typical mammal, can only perceive light in the spectrum between about 400 to 700 nano-meters moved. “However, this is only a small percentage of the entire electromagnetic spectrum,” explain the researchers. The human eye is not able to see longer-wavelength light such as infrared light. Night vision goggles make it possible, also, such light spectrum. At this point the research team. They changed with microscopic Nano-antennae, the eye of the rodents, they were able to temporarily perceive so that longer-wavelength light.

Let there be light

The researchers explain the process: The mice received a Protein-injection with a tiny Nano-antennas. The proteins to pass on the attached nanoparticles to the eye, where the photoreceptors of the eye. These cells are important for the perception of light is responsible. The anchored particles expand the range and ensure that near-infrared (NIR) can be perceived from the non-visible area. This information is sent to the brain to interpret an image. “This is done without the aid of complicated devices,” said the study team.

Green instead of Black

“In our Experiment, the nano-particles of infrared light absorbed at a wavelength of 980 nanometers, and converted it into light with 535 nanometers,” explains Jin Bao from the Chinese research team. This spectrum is visible to the human eye and is perceived as a green color.

Rare Side Effects

So far, the researchers were able to determine in mice, only rare and weak effects of the injection. In some rodents, the horn darkened skins of the eye. This turbidity disappeared again within a week.

Also when people apply?

“We believe that this technology will work for the human eye”, says the Professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, Dr. Gang Han in a press release of the study results. He not only sees applications in the extension of human vision, but also therapeutic solutions for people with disabilities.

Breakthrough in Nano-research

“With this research, we have the applications of the nano-particle technology in a comprehensive erweitert“, so the Professor. The researchers see a variety of possible areas of application of the exploration of neural networks in the brain to support the vision. “With a little help we may have the ability to see all the hidden information of NIR – and IR-radiation in the universe, with our naked eyes,” remarks the biochemist. (vb)