Research Highlight |
Featured
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Article
| Open Access
A multicolor suite for deciphering population coding of calcium and cAMP in vivo
Improved green cAMP and red calcium sensors were developed to facilitate dual-color imaging in vivo. These sensors will allow studying the relationship between calcium and cAMP signaling.
- Tatsushi Yokoyama
- , Satoshi Manita
- & Masayuki Sakamoto
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News & Views |
Breaking up the StayGold dimer yields three photostable monomers
The exceptionally photostable green fluorescent protein StayGold has been monomerized in different laboratories, which has generated three unique monomeric variants that will enable new imaging applications.
- Joachim Goedhart
- & Theodorus W. J. Gadella Jr
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Article |
Improved green and red GRAB sensors for monitoring spatiotemporal serotonin release in vivo
Deng et al. expand the toolbox of neurotransmitter sensors with high-sensitivity green and red genetically encoded serotonin sensors. These are suitable for in vivo applications, as demonstrated in a variety of applications in mice.
- Fei Deng
- , Jinxia Wan
- & Yulong Li
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Article |
Real-time visualization of structural dynamics of synapses in live cells in vivo
SynapShot combines ddFPs with engineered synaptic adhesion molecules for real-time observation of the structural plasticity of synapses in cultured cells and animals.
- Seungkyu Son
- , Kenichiro Nagahama
- & Won Do Heo
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Method to Watch |
Nanopores for sequencing proteins
Developments in nanopore-based peptide detection and sequencing show promise of a breakthrough.
- Arunima Singh
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Method to Watch |
Imaging across scales
New twists on established methods and multimodal imaging are poised to bridge gaps between cellular and organismal imaging.
- Rita Strack
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Article |
Improved green and red GRAB sensors for monitoring dopaminergic activity in vivo
Next-generation red and green G-protein-coupled receptor-based dopamine sensors with improved properties have been developed. Their performance is demonstrated in cell culture, in brain slices and in vivo in the mouse.
- Yizhou Zhuo
- , Bin Luo
- & Yulong Li
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Article
| Open Access
StayGold variants for molecular fusion and membrane-targeting applications
Monomeric and tandem dimer derivatives of the bright and photostable green fluorescent protein StayGold offer versatile tools for tagging target proteins and membranes in extended live-cell imaging.
- Ryoko Ando
- , Satoshi Shimozono
- & Atsushi Miyawaki
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Article |
Adaptable, turn-on maturation (ATOM) fluorescent biosensors for multiplexed detection in cells
Adaptable, turn-on maturation (ATOM) biosensors use monobody or nanobody targeting to control fluorescent protein maturation for fluorescence in the presence of target biomolecules, enabling bright and specific cellular biosensing.
- Harsimranjit Sekhon
- , Jeung-Hoi Ha
- & Stewart N. Loh
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Research Highlight |
Capturing subcellular metal ion dynamics
Newly developed DNA devices can be used to study intracellular sodium and potassium ion levels with organellar resolution.
- Rita Strack
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Article |
Large Stokes shift fluorescent RNAs for dual-emission fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging in live cells
The Clivias are a series of small, monomeric fluorescent RNAs that emit with a large Stokes shift in the orange–red. They enable multiplexed RNA imaging in live cells and BRET-based detection of protein–RNA interactions in mice.
- Li Jiang
- , Xin Xie
- & Yi Yang
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Registered Report |
Quantitative assessment of near-infrared fluorescent proteins
This Registered Report describes an extensive comparison of 22 near-infrared fluorescent proteins in vitro, in cultured mammalian cells, and in model animals, clarifying top performers in diverse biological settings.
- Hanbin Zhang
- , Stavrini Papadaki
- & Kiryl D. Piatkevich
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Brief Communication
| Open Access
DNA-barcoded signal amplification for imaging mass cytometry enables sensitive and highly multiplexed tissue imaging
SABER-IMC combines DNA-based signal amplification by exchange reaction (SABER) with imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to enable simultaneous and highly multiplexed marker detection, even of low-abundance markers not detectable with IMC alone.
- Tsuyoshi Hosogane
- , Ruben Casanova
- & Bernd Bodenmiller
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Article |
A fluorogenic chemically induced dimerization technology for controlling, imaging and sensing protein proximity
CATCHFIRE (chemically assisted tethering of chimera by fluorogenic-induced recognition) tools are small tags that can chemically dimerize with turn-on fluorescence, enabling simultaneous control and visualization of protein proximity.
- Sara Bottone
- , Octave Joliot
- & Arnaud Gautier
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Research Highlight |
In situ sequencing of localized translation
Ribosome-bound mRNA mapping (RIBOmap) enables three-dimensional in situ detection of spatially resolved protein synthesis in single cells.
- Lei Tang
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Article |
Sensitive multicolor indicators for monitoring norepinephrine in vivo
Red and green genetically encoded indicators for norepinephrine have been developed and employed to monitor norepinephrine during locomotion and reward behavior in mice. The strategy used for generating these indicators also produced indicators for other neuromodulators.
- Zacharoula Kagiampaki
- , Valentin Rohner
- & Tommaso Patriarchi
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News & Views |
Lighting up action potentials with fast and bright voltage sensors
Three groundbreaking studies have created a new generation of genetically encoded voltage indicators, empowering us to tackle a host of questions on our path toward understanding the brain.
- Alessio Andreoni
- & Lin Tian
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Article |
A positively tuned voltage indicator for extended electrical recordings in the brain
The ASAP4 family of genetically encoded voltage indicators allows recording of action potentials and subthreshold activity with either one- or two-photon microscopy over extended periods of time.
- S. Wenceslao Evans
- , Dong-Qing Shi
- & Michael Z. Lin
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Article
| Open Access
Glutamate indicators with improved activation kinetics and localization for imaging synaptic transmission
iGluSnFR variants with improved signal-to-noise ratios and targeting to postsynaptic sites have been developed, enabling the analysis of glutamatergic neurotransmission in vivo as illustrated in the mouse visual and somatosensory cortex.
- Abhi Aggarwal
- , Rui Liu
- & Kaspar Podgorski
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Article
| Open Access
Engineering of NEMO as calcium indicators with large dynamics and high sensitivity
The NEMO series of genetically encoded calcium indicators report calcium activity in neuronal and non-neuronal cells with high signal-to-baseline ratio, which is shown in neuronal culture, slice preparations, in vivo and in planta.
- Jia Li
- , Ziwei Shang
- & Youjun Wang
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Research Briefing |
A brilliant monomeric red fluorescent protein combining high brightness and fast maturation
We evolved the brilliant monomeric red fluorescent protein mScarlet3 using a multiparameter screening approach. Owing to a newly engineered hydrophobic patch inside its β-barrel structure, mScarlet3 combines a high quantum yield and high fluorescence lifetime with fast and complete maturation. Consequently, mScarlet3 performs well as a fusion tag in live-cell imaging.
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Article |
High-speed low-light in vivo two-photon voltage imaging of large neuronal populations
A suite of tools including positive-going voltage indicators, a high-speed two-photon microscope, and denoising software enables prolonged imaging of electrical activity in neurons with limited toxicity.
- Jelena Platisa
- , Xin Ye
- & Jerry L. Chen
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Brief Communication |
mScarlet3: a brilliant and fast-maturing red fluorescent protein
Two mScarlet variants with high brightness and fast maturation times have been evolved. These variants behave favorably as fusion tags and Förster resonance energy transfer acceptors.
- Theodorus W. J. Gadella Jr.
- , Laura van Weeren
- & Antoine Royant
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Research Highlight |
A cell’s growth rings
Two research groups independently develop tools to record the history of cellular dynamics.
- Hui Hua
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Method to Watch |
A light switch for targeted genomics
The combination of microscopy, targeted illumination and single-cell sequencing is driving applications from direct evolution to spatial omics.
- Rita Strack
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Article |
Video-based pooled screening yields improved far-red genetically encoded voltage indicators
The Photopick platform, which can be used for phenotype-activated cell selection, was used to develop the improved voltage sensors QuasAr6a and QuasAr6b. These GEVIs offer improved signals and are useful for all-optical electrophysiology.
- He Tian
- , Hunter C. Davis
- & Adam E. Cohen
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Research Briefing |
Robust fluorescent proteins for high-resolution microscopy and biochemical techniques
Hyperfolder yellow fluorescent protein (hfYFP) and its variants are fluorescent proteins with high chemical and thermal stability. They resist aggregation, withstand diverse chemical challenges and show promise in expansion and electron microscopies. The chloride resistance and uncanny stability in guanidinium of hfYFP enable fluorescence-guided protein purification under denaturing conditions.
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Article
| Open Access
Chemically stable fluorescent proteins for advanced microscopy
The engineered hyperfolder YFP (hfYFP) and variants offer unprecedented chemical and thermal stability, making them versatile probes for microscopy as well as for challenging applications like correlative light and electron microscopy and expansion microscopy.
- Benjamin C. Campbell
- , Maria G. Paez-Segala
- & Ce Feng Liu
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Article |
Sensitive genetically encoded sensors for population and subcellular imaging of cAMP in vivo
cAMPFIREs are genetically encoded cAMP sensors that are suitable for in vivo imaging of cAMP signaling, as demonstrated in Drosophila larvae and behaving mice.
- Crystian I. Massengill
- , Landon Bayless-Edwards
- & Haining Zhong
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Article |
ClampFISH 2.0 enables rapid, scalable amplified RNA detection in situ
ClampFISH 2.0 enables highly specific multiplexed signal amplification in RNA FISH. The approach was used to detect 10 RNA species that ranged in abundance in more than 1 million cells and is also applicable to tissue sections.
- Ian Dardani
- , Benjamin L. Emert
- & Arjun Raj
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Research Highlight |
A closer look at FluoroCubes
Researchers explore the unique and puzzling photostability of DNA FluoroCubes. Moreover, they improve the probes’ performance and highlight their diverse applicability.
- Rita Strack
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Article
| Open Access
A fluorescent sensor for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain
A fluorescent sensor for oxytocin called MTRIAOT has been developed. The sensor’s capabilities are demonstrated in fiber photometry measurements in freely behaving mice.
- Daisuke Ino
- , Yudai Tanaka
- & Masaaki Nishiyama
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Research Highlight |
A fluorescent protein with staying power
A newly described fluorescent protein, StayGold, is bright and extremely photostable, enabling extended time-lapse imaging.
- Rita Strack
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News & Views |
New near-infrared fluorescent probes and tools
A novel bright near-infrared fluorescent protein inserted into a nanobody enables visualization of native proteins inside living cells and specific manipulation of cell function, including Boolean protein-based operators.
- Theodorus W. J. Gadella
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Article |
A genetically encoded sensor for in vivo imaging of orexin neuropeptides
OxLight1 is a genetically encoded sensor for the orexin neuropeptides. It has been applied in fiber photometry recordings and two-photon imaging in mice during a variety of behaviors.
- Loïc Duffet
- , Seher Kosar
- & Tommaso Patriarchi
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Article
| Open Access
Engineered HaloTag variants for fluorescence lifetime multiplexing
HaloTag variants offer distinct brightness and fluorescence lifetimes compared with HaloTag7 when labeled with rhodamines. These variants were used for multiplexed imaging with a single fluorophore and to create lifetime-based cell cycle indicators.
- Michelle S. Frei
- , Miroslaw Tarnawski
- & Kai Johnsson
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Research Highlight |
Tracking protein conformation in live cells
A simple ‘binder/tag’ approach allows tracking of individual protein conformation changes in live cells.
- Allison Doerr
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Research Highlight |
Nanopore-detectable reporter proteins
NanoporeTERs, engineered reporter proteins, can be detected on MinION nanopore sensor arrays.
- Arunima Singh
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Research Highlight |
Thermodynamic profiling of single molecules
A single-molecule calorimeter measures the thermodynamic properties of individual proteins.
- Rita Strack
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News & Views |
Making a tick protein talk as a serotonin sensor
A genetically encoded neurotransmitter sensor, engineered from a tick lipocalin, detects serotonin in the living brain.
- Charles W. Morgan
- & Jing Ren
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Brief Communication |
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A fast, high-affinity fluorescent serotonin biosensor engineered from a tick lipocalin
G-GESS is a serotonin biosensor, derived from a tick serotonin-binding protein. The biosensor has been applied here in cell culture, primary neurons, mouse brain slices and in vivo in the mouse brain.
- Shen Zhang
- , Xinyu Li
- & Hui-wang Ai
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Research Highlight |
DNA-PAINT takes a left turn
DNA-PAINT with left-handed DNA oligomers enables imaging of nuclear structures with reduced background.
- Rita Strack
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Method to Watch |
Organic dyes for live imaging
Researchers are putting new spins on familiar dyes and showing their versatility for labeling living systems.
- Rita Strack
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Article |
Next-generation GRAB sensors for monitoring dopaminergic activity in vivo
Red and improved green versions of the genetically encoded dopamine sensor GRABDA have been developed. These neurotransmitter sensors are used alone or in combination with, for example, calcium sensors in behaving fruit flies and rodents.
- Fangmiao Sun
- , Jingheng Zhou
- & Yulong Li
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This Month |
Lin Tian
Neurochemistry sensors for brain research and life with a collaborative frame of mind.
- Vivien Marx
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Research Highlight |
GFP lights up amyloid fibrils
Fluorescent proteins can bind amyloid fibrils formed from natural peptides and proteins.
- Rita Strack
Nanopore-based detection of phosphorylation
Calcium imaging in the NIR