Language
Country/Area
No result found
Why are fluorescent dyes brighter than fluorescent proteins? Reveal scientists' secrets!
In today's biomedical research, fluorescence imaging, as a non-invasive imaging technology, has received increasing attention. Through this technology, scientists can visualize biological processes in living organisms and obtain rich data. Traditionally, fluorescence imaging experiments have relied on the combination of fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins, with fluorescent dyes being particularly prominent due to their advantages in optical properties.
Fluorescence is essentially the process in which a substance absorbs electromagnetic radiation and emits light of a certain wavelength, which makes the use of fluorescent dyes continue to increase in scientific experiments.
Fluorescence mechanism
When a molecule absorbs light energy, its energy is instantly raised to a higher excited state. This state is short-lived, after which the molecule returns to its ground state and emits fluorescence. The emitted light has a specific wavelength, which is predefined so that the instrument can be correctly set up for measurement during the experiment.
Fluorescent dyes and proteins
Compared with fluorescent proteins, the advantages of fluorescent dyes are their greater brightness and photostability. The brightness of fluorescence depends on two main factors: extinction coefficient and quantum efficiency. This means that the fluorescent dye can absorb and convert light more efficiently when it reaches the target, thereby emitting a stronger fluorescent signal.
Take NanoOrange as an example. This dye can bind to the hydrophobic region of proteins, and its stability makes it stand out in many studies.
Image range and system
The range of fluorescence images is usually between 300-800nm, and the intensity of the image is linearly proportional to the number of fluorescent molecules. Shadow effects and light focusing technology ensure the clarity of the emitted light and guarantee the accuracy of the image. Through high-quality image acquisition systems, scientists can monitor changes in biological processes at any time.
Application fields
Fluorescence imaging is widely used in a variety of biomedical fields, including DNA visualization in PCR, data quantification in Western blotting, and real-time image-guided surgery in cancer screening. These applications demonstrate the importance of fluorescent dyes in complex biological processes.
For example, indocyanine green used in cancer surgery can help doctors identify and remove tumor tissue, which fully demonstrates the clinical value of fluorescence imaging.
Future direction
The scientific community continues to further develop fluorescent proteins in an attempt to improve their imaging capabilities. Through genetic engineering, scientists can change the fluorescence characteristics and optimal working wavelength of proteins, as well as reduce their sensitivity to the environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although fluorescent proteins play an important role in biological investigations, the lack of maturation time and high brightness of fluorescent dyes make them the first choice for laboratories. How will future developments change our understanding of biological imaging technology and its application potential, and what new technologies will it promote?
