This phenomenon is the first reported generation of a bioelectric potential by a photomorphogenic pigment.

This simple experiment was indicative of phytochrome function, and the rapid nature of the response suggested that changes in bioelectric potential were seminal events in phytochrome signal propagation.

García-Austt graduated with honors as "Doctor en Medicina y Cirugía" (M.D.) at the Universidad de la República of Uruguay in 1948 and obtained the Gold Medal, with a Doctoral Thesis on "Repercussion of some metabolic alterations on the bioelectric potentials".