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Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors: visualizing cellular dynamics and bioenergetics

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Abstract

Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a process involving the radiation-less transfer of energy from a “donor” fluorophore to an “acceptor” fluorophore. FRET technology enables the quantitative analysis of molecular dynamics in biophysics and in molecular biology, such as the monitoring of protein–protein interactions, protein–DNA interactions, and protein conformational changes. FRET-based biosensors have been utilized to monitor cellular dynamics not only in heterogeneous cellular populations, but also at the single-cell level in real time. Lately, applications of FRET-based biosensors range from basic biological to biomedical disciplines. Despite the diverse applications of FRET, FRET-based sensors still face many challenges. There is an increasing need for higher fluorescence resolution and improved specificity of FRET biosensors. Additionally, as more FRET-based technologies extend to medical diagnostics, the affordability of FRET reagents becomes a significant concern. Here, we will review current advances and limitations of FRET-based biosensor technology and discuss future FRET applications.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful guidance and suggestions provided by Dr. Raphael Levine for this review. We would also like to thank the UCLA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine for providing Early Career Award and support to SZ. This mini-review is dedicated to the late Professor Paola S. Timiras.

Competing interest

Authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Sohila Zadran, Kaylee Wong, Erick Otiniano & Arash Amighi

  2. Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA

    Steve Standley & Michel Baudry

  3. Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 LeConte Ave, CHS 13-375, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

    Sohila Zadran

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  1. Sohila Zadran
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  2. Steve Standley
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  3. Kaylee Wong
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  4. Erick Otiniano
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  5. Arash Amighi
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  6. Michel Baudry
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Correspondence to Sohila Zadran.

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Zadran, S., Standley, S., Wong, K. et al. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors: visualizing cellular dynamics and bioenergetics. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 96, 895–902 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4449-6

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