Abstract: The present invention relates generally to variant fluorescent proteins, and more specifically to monomeric and dimeric forms of Anthozoan fluorescent proteins. In one aspect, the present invention provides variants of fluorescent proteins, where the variants have a reduced propensity to tetramerize, and form dimeric or monomeric structures. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such fluorescent protein monomers and dimers.

Abstract: The invention provides for a detector assembly, fiber assembly and screening system for optical measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides Zn-chelating compounds that are molecularly engineered to bind to a specific target sequence in a protein of interest. The Zn2+ ion is far less toxic and promiscuous than nickel and therefore provides an attractive alternative to Ni-based labeling systems. Invention Zn-chelating compounds also do not require oxidizable thiols and therefore can be used in non-reducing environments such as the surface of living cells. In addition, the target sequence is genetically encodable and requires incorporation of only a few amino acids, unlike fusions to fluorescent proteins such as GFP.

Abstract: A chimeric phosphorylation indicator is provided. A chimeric phosphorylation indicator can contain a donor molecule, a phosphorylatable domain, a phosphoaminoacid binding domain (PAABD), and an acceptor molecule. A chimeric phosphorylation indicator also can contain a phosphorylatable polypeptide and a fluorescent protein, wherein the phosphorylatable polypeptide is contained within the sequence of the fluorescent protein, or wherein the fluorescent protein is contained within the sequence of the phosphorylatable polypeptide. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such chimeric phosphorylation indicators, as well as kits containing the indicators or the polynucleotides. In addition, a method of using the chimeric phosphorylation indicators to detect a kinase or phosphatase in a sample is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-well platforms, lids, caddies and any combination thereof. The multi-well platforms comprise a plurality of wells that can be of any shape and can be arranged in any ornamental pattern. The lid comprises an area corresponding to the well field. The caddy has a footprint approximately that of a standard 96-well microtiter plate. When the multi-well platform is engaged with the caddy, the wells of the well-field of the multi-well platform are preferably not obscured by the caddy when viewed from the bottom of the combination.

Abstract: Non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins, which are formed by operatively linking two or more monomers of a fluorescent protein, or which are derived from a fluorescent protein having at least one mutation that reduces or eliminates the ability of the fluorescent protein to oligomerize, are provided. The non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins can be derived from a naturally occurring green fluorescent protein, a red fluorescent protein, or other fluorescent protein, or a fluorescent protein related thereto. Also provided is a fusion protein, which includes a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein linked to at least one polypeptide of interest. In addition, a polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein is provided, as is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which includes polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein operatively linked to at least a second polynucleotide.

Abstract: Non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins, which are formed by operatively linking two or more monomers of a fluorescent protein, or which are derived from a fluorescent protein having at least one mutation that reduces or eliminates the ability of the fluorescent protein to oligomerize, are provided. The non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins can be derived from a naturally occurring green fluorescent protein, a red fluorescent protein, or other fluorescent protein, or a fluorescent protein related thereto. Also provided is a fusion protein, which includes a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein linked to at least one polypeptide of interest. In addition, a polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein is provided, as is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which includes polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein operatively linked to at least a second polynucleotide.

Abstract: The invention provides Zn-chelating compounds that are molecularly engineered to bind to a specific target sequence in a protein of interest. The Zn2+ ion is far less toxic and promiscuous than nickel and therefore provides an attractive alternative to Ni-based labeling systems. Invention Zn-chelating compounds also do not require oxidizable thiols and therefore can be used in non-reducing environments such as the surface of living cells. In addition, the target sequence is genetically encodable and requires incorporation of only a few amino acids, unlike fusions to fluorescent proteins such as GFP.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements, comprising a plurality of wells within a frame, wherein the multi-well platform has low fluorescence background. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for spectroscopic measurements, comprising reagents for an assay and a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements. A further aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a method from identifying a modulator of a biological process or target in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a composition identified by this method. A further aspect of the present invention is a method to identify a therapeutic.

Abstract: This invention provides tandem fluorescent protein construct including a donor fluorescent protein moiety, an acceptor fluorescent protein moiety and a linker moiety that couples the donor and acceptor moieties. The donor and acceptor moieties exhibit fluorescence resonance energy transfer which is eliminated upon cleavage. The constructs are useful in enzymatic assays.

Abstract: Modifications in the sequence of Aequorea wild-type GFP provide products having markedly different excitation and emission spectra from corresponding products from wild-type GFP. In one class of modifications, the product derived from the modified GFP exhibits an alteration in the ratio of two main excitation peaks observed with the product derived from wild-type GFP. In another class, the product derived from the modified GFP fluoresces at a shorter wavelength than the corresponding product from wild-type GFP. In yet another class of modifications, the product derived from the modified GFP exhibits only a single excitation peak and enhanced emission relative to the product derived from wild-type GFP.

Abstract: Engineered fluorescent proteins, nucleic acids encoding them and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides Zn-chelating compounds that are molecularly engineered to bind to a specific target sequence in a protein of interest. The Zn2+0 ion is far less toxic and promiscuous than nickel and therefore provides an attractive alternative to Ni-based labeling systems. Invention Zn-chelating compounds also do not require oxidizable thiols and therefore can be used in non-reducing environments such as the surface of living cells. In addition, the target sequence is genetically encodable and requires incorporation of only a few amino acids, unlike fusions to fluorescent proteins such as GFP.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements, comprising a plurality of wells within a frame, wherein the multi-well platform has low fluorescence background. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for spectroscopic measurements, comprising reagents for an assay and a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements. A further aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a method from identifying a modulator of a biological process or target in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a composition identified by this method. A further aspect of the present invention is a method to identify a therapeutic.

Abstract: The invention provides for a detector assembly, fiber assembly and screening system for optical measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding fluorescent indicators having inserted within a fluorescent moiety a sensor polypeptide. Also provided are methods of using the fluorescent indicator. Circularly permuted fluorescent polypeptides and polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention features biarsenical molecules. Target sequences that specifically react with the biarsenical molecules are also included. The present invention also features kits that include biarsenical molecules and target sequences. Tetraarsenical molecules are also featured in the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting changes in membrane potential in membranes biological systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluorescent protein sensors for measuring the pH of a sample, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods of use. The preferred fluorescent protein sensors are variants of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequora victoria. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for measuring the pH of a specific region of a cell, such as the mitochondrial matrix or the Golgi lumen.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting changes in membrane potential in membranes biological systems.