Scientists Create New Color "Olo" by Stimulating Individual Eye Cells

Scientists Create New Color "Olo" by Stimulating Individual Eye Cells

By Newslance Science Desk | February 10, 2026

A close-up view of the human eye. Researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered a method to create a new color perception by directly stimulating photoreceptor cells. (Photo: v2osk/Unsplash)

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in vision science by creating an entirely new color perception called "olo" through direct stimulation of individual photoreceptor cells in the human eye.

This new color, described as an intensely saturated teal or peacock green, exists only through technological intervention and cannot be found in the natural world. The achievement opens new possibilities for understanding human vision and treating eye diseases.

How They Created a New Color Experience

Using an advanced optical imaging platform called "Oz," developed by Professor Austin Roorda of Berkeley's School of Optometry, the research team was able to precisely target and stimulate specific cone cells in the retina with laser light. This technique, termed "Ozvision," directly activates the M-cones—color-sensitive photoreceptor cells that are never activated independently in natural viewing conditions.

"The intent and the aspiration was to elicit that same kind of response by going from a natural-colored world to a supernatural-colored world by a direct stimulation of these cones," explained Roorda, referencing the Emerald City's unearthly green color from "The Wizard of Oz," which inspired the project's name.

The research, led by James Fong and published in the journal Science Advances, represents the first time humans have been able to experience a color that exists beyond the normal range of human vision.

A Profound Experience

Participants in the study described the experience as profound, with Roorda himself reporting feelings of euphoria upon seeing the intense teal color. The verification process was complex, as color perception is inherently subjective—only the person experiencing it can truly know what they see.

To confirm that participants were indeed experiencing a similar novel color, researchers had them rate its intensity and perform image-matching exercises while viewing olo, comparing it to its nearest natural counterparts. All participants described the color as a sort of teal or blue-green, though whether they experienced exactly the same hue remains a mystery.

"As a scientist, the experience was profound," Roorda said of witnessing the new color.

Future Applications and Possibilities

Beyond the immediate novelty of creating a new color experience, this research has significant implications for treating eye diseases and potentially enhancing human color vision. The Oz platform's precision in targeting individual photoreceptors could transform how eye conditions are diagnosed and treated.

The research team is also exploring whether this technology could be used to enhance color vision in individuals with normal trichromatic vision. Some humans naturally have four types of cones in their retinas instead of three, allowing them to distinguish among hues better than those with typical vision. The Berkeley researchers are investigating whether similar enhanced color discrimination might be achievable in people with typical vision through technological intervention.

If successful, such treatments could potentially give people the ability to perceive 10 times as many gradations of color as they currently experience, opening up an entirely new sensory world.

Unique Characteristics of Olo

The name "olo" is a play on "0 1 0," corresponding to the types of cone cells that were stimulated to generate the color experience. The color exists only within the specific technological setup and cannot be reproduced outside of it, making it a truly "cyborg experience" that requires machine assistance to perceive.

Ph.D. student James Fong, who named the color but has not yet seen it himself due to drawing an unlucky straw among the research team, expressed particular pride in his contribution. "How many people have named a color?" he asked, noting that he now prefers olo to all naturally occurring colors, despite never having seen it himself.

References

Berkeley News: How seeing a new color stretches the limits of human perception The Atlantic: The 'Profound' Experience of Seeing a New Color Science Advances: Novel color via stimulation of individual photoreceptors at population scale Berkeley News: Scientists trick the eye into seeing new color 'olo'