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Molecular beacons

Fluorogenic probes for living cell study

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Abstract

Molecular beacons are a new class of fluorescent probes that can report the presence of specific nucleic acids with high sensitivity and excellent specificity. In addition to their current wide applications in monitoring the progress of polymerase chain reactions, their unique properties make them promising probes for the detection and visualization of target biomolecules in living cells. This article is focused on our recent research in exploring the potential of using molecular beacon for living-cell studies in three important areas: the monitoring of mRNA in living cells, the development of ultrasmall DNA/RNA biosensors, and the novel approach of combining molecular beacon's signal transduction mechanism with aptamer's specificity for real-time protein detection. These applications demonstrate molecular beacon's unique properties in bioanalysis and bioassay development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and the McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, FL

    Xiaohong Fang, Yanming Mi, Jianwei Jeffery Li & Weihong Tan

  2. TriLink Bio Technologies, Inc., 6310 Nancy Ridge Drive, Suite 101, 92121, San Diego, CA

    Terry Beck

  3. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, Biotechnology Development Institute, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL

    Xiaohong Fang & Sheldon Schuster

Authors
  1. Xiaohong Fang
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  2. Yanming Mi
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  6. Weihong Tan
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Correspondence to Weihong Tan.

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Fang, X., Mi, Y., Li, J.J. et al. Molecular beacons. Cell Biochem Biophys 37, 71–81 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1385/CBB:37:2:071

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