“Luciferase. Can’t make this up.”
Yup, Looks like they can.
FWIW, lucifer is Latin for “lightbearer.” Yes, I understand the biblical context, but in this case, luciferase is a bioluminescent protein, hence the reference.
Luciferase. Can’t make this up.
The name was first used by Raphaël Dubois who invented the words luciferin and luciferase. Both words are derived from the Latin word lucifer, meaning “lightbearer”. The being, Lucifer is first referred to in the Old Testament where his name was translated from the Hebrew word “helel”, which means brightness. He was created by God when he made all the other angels in the heavens. The enzyme “Luciferase” is a logical name for a substance that is bioluminescent. It is no more connected to the Devil than Red Devil lye.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luciferase
Bill Gates has some patent for a product with a similar name.
Luciferase is a generic term for the class of oxidative enzymes that produce bioluminescence, and is usually distinguished from a photoprotein. The name was first used by Raphaël Dubois who invented the words luciferin and luciferase, for the and enzyme, respectively.[1] Both words are derived from the Latin word lucifer, meaning "lightbearer", which in turn is derived from the Latin words for "light" (lux) and "to bring or carry".
Luciferases are widely used in biotechnology, for microscopy and as reporter genes, for many of the same applications as fluorescent proteins. However, unlike fluorescent proteins, luciferases do not require an external light source, but do require addition of luciferin, the consumable substrate.
‘Lucifer’ means ‘light bearer’. The name for the bioluminescence enzyme luciferase is not new, and has as its only commonality a reference to light. The name Lucy has the same relationship.
Oh, but they have. Not the first thing and it won't be the last.