Squid Camouflage is Inspiring Medical Science and Future Synthetic Materials

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have been studying Squid Camouflage. A new study has demonstrated the ability to understand the mechanism by which squid, and other camouflage sea species, control reflective pigments to change their appearance and visibility. Reflectin, the protein which controls reflective pigments, has long been a mystery for scientists. Knowledge of the reflectin protein existed prior to the study, but now researchers know how the underlying mechanism works.

Dr. Daniel E. Morse, research professor at UCSB, has studied the optical properties of color-changing animals like the California Market Squid. The data gathered during this study could help to advance knowledge of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. This research could also help advance synthetic polymers that we use for nearly all new technology and innovation.