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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
Published on: November 2, 2018
Studying protein dynamics in living cells
J Lippincott-Schwartz1, E Snapp, A Kenworthy
1Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, 18 Library Drive, NICHD, NIH Bethesda, Maryland 20892-5430 USA. jlippin@helix.nih.gov
Abstract:
Since the advent of the green fluorescent protein, the subcellular localization, mobility, transport routes and binding interactions of proteins can be studied in living cells. Live cell imaging, in combination with photobleaching, energy transfer or fluorescence correlation spectroscopy are providing unprecedented insights into the movement of proteins and their interactions with cellular components. Remarkably, these powerful techniques are accessible to non-specialists using commercially available microscope systems.
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Protein Dynamics in Living Cells
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescent-protein-based detection technique used to quantify protein movement rates within the cell. This method exposes a small portion of the cell to an intense laser beam. The laser beam causes permanent photobleaching of the fluorophore-tagged proteins in the exposed region. As the bleached...

