What color is CFP protein?
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CFP Protein Color
Cyan Fluorescent Protein (CFP) is a synthetic derivative of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) originally isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. CFP was engineered to emit fluorescence in the cyan color range, making it a valuable tool for various biological and medical research applications.
CFP emits light at a peak wavelength of approximately 475-495 nanometers, which corresponds to the cyan color in the visible spectrum. This emission color is achieved by introducing specific mutations into the GFP sequence, altering its chromophore to shift the emission spectrum towards shorter wavelengths.
Due to its distinct cyan color, CFP is often used in fluorescence microscopy and multi-color labeling experiments where it can be distinguished from other fluorescent proteins such as GFP (green) and YFP (yellow). This allows researchers to study multiple proteins or cellular components simultaneously within the same sample.
Applications of CFP
- Live cell imaging
- Protein localization studies
- Gene expression analysis
- FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) based assays
CFP's unique color and properties make it an indispensable tool in the field of optical engineering and biological research, enabling detailed visualization and analysis of cellular processes.