Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2010
INTRODUCTION
For more than a decade the growing class of fluorescent proteins (FPs) defined as homologues of Aequorea victoriagreen FP (avGFP), which are capable of forming an intrinsic chromophore, has almost single-handedly launched and fueled a new era in cell biology. These powerful research tools provide investigators with a means of fusing a genetically encoded optical probe to any one of a practically unlimited variety of protein targets to examine living systems using fluorescence microscopy and related methodology (see Figure 1.1; for recent reviews, see references). The diverse array of practical applications for FPs ranges from targeted markers for organelles and other subcellular structures, to protein fusions designed to monitor mobility and dynamics, to reporters of transcriptional regulation (Figure 1.2). FPs have also opened the door to creating highly specific biosensors for live-cell imaging of numerous intracellular phenomena, including pH and ion concentration fluctuations, protein kinase activity, apoptosis, voltage, cyclic nucleotide signaling, and tracing neuronal pathways. In addition, by applying selected promoters and targeting signals, FP biosensors can be introduced into an intact organism and directed to specific tissues, cell types, and subcellular compartments to enable monitoring a variety of physiological processes using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques.
If FPs are the “fuel” for the live-cell imaging revolution, the “engines” are the technical advances in widefield fluorescence and confocal microscopes. Some notable advances include low light level digital charge coupled device (CCD) cameras as well as spinning-disk and swept-field instruments.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.