Story perspectives

Study Reveals Dragonflies' Unique Red Light Detection Abilities

4/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that dragonflies and humans share the ability to detect red light through parallel evolution.
Dragonflies perceive red light at 720 nanometers, beyond human capability.
This could aid optogenetics by enabling deep red light to control cells non-invasively.
The research highlights the potential for modified opsins to activate cells with near-infrared light.
The study was published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.

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Story summary

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that dragonflies and humans share the ability to detect red light through parallel evolution.
Dragonflies perceive red light at 720 nanometers, beyond human capability.
This could aid optogenetics by enabling deep red light to control cells non-invasively.
The research highlights the potential for modified opsins to activate cells with near-infrared light.
The study was published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.