National Cancer Institute (source definition)
Bioluminescence
The production of light by certain living organisms, including fireflies and phytoplankton, by the conversion of chemical to radiant energy.
Review and references
Automated source check (NCI definition)
2026-10-19
2026-10-19
professional use
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Bioluminescence (C62655)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C62655. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- A PBMC-based assay detects residual pro-inflammatory response in endoscopes after high-level disinfection undetected by ATP bioluminescence: a pilot study. — J Hosp Infect, 2026-09-22 (PMID 42772697; literature)
- Theoretical study on the catalytic mechanism of oxyluciferin hydrolysis by luciferin-regenerating enzyme in firefly bioluminescence substrate regeneration. — Photochem Photobiol, 2026-09-18 (PMID 42757742; literature)
What it is
The production of light by certain living organisms, including fireflies and phytoplankton, by the conversion of chemical to radiant energy.
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C62655. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Compliance note
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.