From the northern elk to Ein Biyonit

Researchers at the Department of Biology at the University of Tromsø in Norway surprisingly discovered that the reindeer, unlike other mammals, can see in the ultraviolet (UV) range. Furthermore, his survival depends on this ability in order to avoid encounters with snow-white predators such as snow wolves and polar bears, and also to obtain his especially favorite edible plants (lichens) hidden on rocks under the snow, and to avoid fights over territory.

By: Shimon Bogan

Researchers at the Department of Biology at the University of Tromsø in Norway surprisingly discovered that the reindeer, unlike other mammals, can see in the ultraviolet (UV) range. Furthermore, his survival depends on this ability in order to avoid encounters with snow-white predators such as snow wolves and polar bears, and also to obtain his especially favorite edible plants (lichens) hidden on rocks under the snow, and to avoid fights over territory.

Since the beginning of the reindeer's migration to the polar regions, about 10,000 years ago, and thanks to evolution, those members of the species have thrived whose eyes have adapted to seeing ultraviolet light without causing damage to their retinas. The snow reflects at least 90% of the sunlight, including harmful UV radiation, and only the UV radiation alone is absorbed by the white camouflage fur of predators, plants in the snow and urine stains of competing elk. The elk see the invisible to the human eye as well-defined dark objects against the background of the bright white snow (Link).

Dr. Glenn Jeffrey studies the structure of the eye and the physiology of vision in the reindeer. The biomimetic goal is to discover the mechanism that protects the retina and the nerve photoreceptors within it from irreversible damage under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and to reproduce it, and if possible to try to restore vision damaged by such radiation (Link).

A group of researchers and engineers at the University of Michigan is a member of the project, which aims to enrich ordinary people with the bionic ability of super vision in the entire range of the optical spectrum, from ultraviolet to infrared. The development is based on a two-layer graphene nanotechnological device with peak sensitivity to radiation at all wavelengths of the colors of the rainbow, without auxiliary means and without supporting systems (Link).

The main uses of reflected ultraviolet light vision today are in photography for medical purposes for the early detection of skin cancer, in aerial photography to diagnose land uses for agriculture, in overhead photography to identify buildings in archaeological sites, in the study of works of art, in artistic reconstruction and in forensics. Additional uses are under development.

The scientific achievement has already made waves in the communities of scientists, technologists and futurists. The bold among them already see in their vision cell phone cameras with multispectral lenses, and people with contact lenses for eyes for a new and unconventional vision of the world (Link). Sight attributed to the famous painter Claude Monet, who at the end of his days was considered to have super vision of UV light in one eye, after undergoing surgery to remove a lens in his left eye due to a severe cataract. Indeed, in his later color palette the bright blue tones took the place of red, brown and orange.

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