530: A Living Highlighter

Embedded.fm · 25 Jul 2026 · 1h 08m · Episode 530

What this episode covers

Marine biologist Dr. Steven Haddock of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) discusses his book, The Radiant Sea, co-authored with Sönke Johnsen, which documents living deep-sea organisms. He explains the high-sensitivity 4K camera technology and ROV systems required to capture bioluminescence and transparency in the deep ocean, noting ISO levels up to 80,000. Haddock details how organisms like disco clams use structural colors and jellyfish use bioluminescence for communication and defense, while highlighting the biotechnological applications of GFP in medical research.

Mentioned

Companies
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, MBARI, UC Santa Cruz
Products
The Radiant Sea, disco clams, ROV, 4K camera
Materials
vantablack
Also
Sönke Johnsen, GFP

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