What Is Fluorescent Proteins

By Marco Alva


There are four main elements that make up organisms. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen make up all matter. Living organisms are all made up of these four main elements. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are all products of combinations of some or all of these elements. These elements are necessary to sustain or produce life. An important component of all living things is protein. Without proteins several life sustaining processes in the body will not take place. Also, without proteins, the structural existence of any organism would be impossible. Protein is present in all living things. Smaller components make up proteins. Proteins make all things or organisms living with all of its different forms.

One particular kind of protein that might have a promising role to play in the biomedical field is the fluorescent protein. A bioluminescent jellyfish is the source of this prodigious fluorescent protein. Although fluorescent proteins were discovered in this jellyfish, further research on other bioluminescent organisms proved that fluorescent proteins of different forms were also present in them.

Fluorescent proteins are proteins that are capable of emitting their own light hence the term, fluorescent. Harvesting the luminescent property is done by excising the parts that have it. The light being emitted by these proteins also exhibit a certain property. The light emitted changes in color when it is exposed to lights of different wavelengths. Sunlight causes the fluorescent proteins to light a green color, whereas tungsten light causes them to show a yellow color. On the other hand, under ultraviolet light, the color exhibited by the proteins is a very lively green color.

Diagnostic imaging is the primary role of fluorescent proteins. Specimens are observed through medical imaging equipment using fluorescent proteins to make them luminous and easily seen. A disease in the work is easily diagnosed when fluorescent proteins are attached to it because it may be easily seen under powerful microscopes and other imaging devices.

Fluorescent proteins, for example, stick to cancer cells to know how they operate inside the body. Fluorescent proteins are good tumor markers and they enable scientists and researchers know the way cancer works inside the body. Among the things that researchers may observe using fluorescent proteins are the way cancer multiplies, goes to different body parts and even how it invades healthy cells and thrive in a body. Scientists look for ways to prevent cancer's operation in the body from being completed, until the disease is eradicated. When a disease's usual operation is discontinued, the organisms are easier to eliminate in the body.




About the Author:



Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post

Contact Form