Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
12:20
Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
Published on: August 6, 2014
Nanostructured probes for RNA detection in living cells
Philip Santangelo1, Nitin Nitin, Gang Bao
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|February 8, 2006
Summary
Nanostructured oligonucleotide probes enable real-time visualization of RNA in living cells. These advanced tools offer new opportunities for sensitive gene detection and disease studies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Visualizing RNA in living cells is crucial for understanding biological processes and diseases.
- Current methods face challenges in real-time quantification and localization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in nanostructured oligonucleotide probes for live-cell RNA detection.
- To discuss challenges and opportunities in in vivo gene expression quantification.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing dual FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) or single molecular beacons.
- Employing peptide-based or membrane-permeabilization-based delivery systems.
- Imaging RNA relative levels, localization, and dynamics in live cells.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated detection of endogenous mRNAs and their subcellular localization.
- Illustrated colocalization studies for biological applications.
- Discussed critical factors in probe design, delivery, and target accessibility.
Conclusions:
- Nanostructured probes represent a promising technology for sensitive gene detection.
- These probes open new avenues for biological and medical applications.
- Further development is needed to address challenges in probe design and delivery.
Related Concept Videos
03:31Labeling DNA Probes
DNA probes are fragments of DNA labeled with a reporter tag to enable their detection or purification. The resulting labeled DNA probes can then hybridize to target nucleic acid sequences through complementary base-pairing, and may be used to recover or identify these regions.
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
03:21RNA-seq
RNA sequencing, or RNA-Seq, is a high-throughput sequencing technology used to study the transcriptome of a cell. Transcriptomics helps to interpret the functional elements of a genome and identify the molecular constituents of an organism. Additionally, it also helps in understanding the development of an organism and the occurrence of diseases.
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while microarray-based...
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while microarray-based...
02:31In-situ Hybridization
In situ hybridization (ISH) is a technique used to detect and localize specific DNA or RNA molecules in cells, tissue, or tissue sections using a labeled probe. The technique was first used in 1969 for the investigation of nucleic acids. It is currently an essential tool in scientific research and clinical settings, especially for diagnostic purposes.
Types of probes and labels
A probe is a complementary strand of DNA or RNA that binds to corresponding nucleotide sequences in a cell. Many...
Types of probes and labels
A probe is a complementary strand of DNA or RNA that binds to corresponding nucleotide sequences in a cell. Many...
02:24Ribosome Profiling
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...