Unnatural Amino Acid Mutagenesis with Fluorescent Amino Acids

描述（由申请人提供）：细胞成像和生物物理技术已经成为基础生物医学研究的组成部分。这些实验方法使研究人员能够从整体上剖析与细胞生物学相关的动态生物学途径，并已被证明在阐明病变细胞（如癌症细胞）的分子机制方面特别有用。为了帮助更好地研究这些生物过程，我们的目标是开发一种小的、遗传编码的、高质量的荧光标签，用于活细胞成像和生物物理应用。我们将结合基于结构的设计和精确的生化分析来识别与细胞机制兼容的探针。将采取进一步措施在真核生物和哺乳动物细胞中评估和实施探针。如果成功，这项技术将为目前在该领域占主导地位的荧光蛋白提供一种替代方案，用于一系列成像和生物物理应用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cell-imaging and biophysical techniques have become integral components of basic biomedical research. These experimental approaches enable researchers to dissect dynamic biological pathways relevant to cell biology as a whole, and they have proven especially useful in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of diseased cells, such as those found in cancer. To help better examine these biological processes, we aim to develop a small, genetically encoded, high quality fluorescent tag for use in live-cell imaging and biophysical applications. We will combine structure-based design with precise biochemical analysis to identify probes that are compatible with the cellular machinery. Further steps will be taken to evaluate and implement the probes in living eukaryotic and mammalian cells. If successful, this technology would provide an alternative to the fluorescent proteins, which currently dominate the field, for a range of imaging and biophysical applications.