Cassius V.
Stevani

Cassius V. Stevani’s scientific trajectory began with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence, where his studies helped clarify reaction kinetics, high energy intermediates and the chemiexcitation step. During his postdoctoral research, seeking a more applied problem that also involved fieldwork, he investigated damage to automotive coatings caused by dragonfly eggs and helped identify cysteic acid as a chemical mediator of polymer degradation.

At the same time, field studies of fireflies led him to investigate how these insects perceive light and use signals to recognize and communicate with members of the same species. His research also examined oxidative stress and the mechanisms that modulate the color of their bioluminescence. During one of these expeditions, he decided to propose a research program on bioluminescent fungi.

His group demonstrated that fungal bioluminescence is an enzymatic process, resolving a controversy that had persisted for more than three decades. The group also developed a method for purifying fungal luciferin, providing an essential step toward its identification and the elucidation of the light emitting mechanism. Subsequent studies showed that fungal light attracts insects that can assist in spore dispersal, identified the fungal luciferin and luciferase, elucidated the complete biochemical mechanism and enabled the development of a genetically encodable bioluminescent system.

Today, his research extends to other bioluminescent systems and environmental metagenomics, connecting fundamental chemistry with biodiversity, ecology, biotechnology and new analytical tools.