MICROSCOPY Vol.43▶No.2 2008
â– Lectures

Imaging with Genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors

Junichi Nakai

Abstract: Genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor (GECS) is a Ca sensor coded by DNA and synthesized in the cell as protein molecule. There are two types of GECS used in biological field. One is a chemiluminescence sensor and the other is a fluorescent sensor. The fluorescent GECS was developed in 1990's. However, recent advancement of the fluorescent GECS is remarkable. Since the GECS is coded by DNA, it is a promising tool for monitoring cellular function in vivo in living animals. In this review, I will discuss characteristic of the GECS and show some application of the fluorescent GECS.

Key words: GFP, bioluminescence, fluorescence, calcium, sensor