Carnegie Institution of Washington

Loren Looger

Wolf B Frommer

Sakiko Okumoto

Marcus Fehr

Intramolecular biosensors are disclosed, including PBP-based biosensors, comprising a ligand binding domain fused to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon binding ligand. At least one of the donor and fluorescent moieties may be internally fused to the biosensor such that both ends of the internally fused fluorophore are fixed. In addition, methods of improving the sensitivity of terminally fused biosensors are provided. The biosensors of the invention are useful for the detection and quantification of ligands in vivo and in culture.

Development of sensitive FRET sensors and methods of using the same

Environmentally stable biosensors are disclosed, which comprise a ligand binding domain from a thermophilic organism conjugated to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon ligand binding. Such biosensors demonstrate enhanced acid-, thermal- and chemical stability as compared to sensors constructed using protein domains from mesophilic organisms.

Environmentally stable sensors and methods of using the same

Neurotransmitter biosensors are disclosed, including YbeJ-based glutamate binding biosensors, comprising a neurotransmitter binding domain conjugated to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon binding neurotransmitter. Such biosensors are useful for the detection of neurotransmitter concentrations in vivo and in culture.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, DC, United States of America

Loren Looger