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Updated: May 25, 2026

Visualizing Single Molecular Complexes In Vivo Using Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: September 8, 2009
Visualizing biochemical activities in living cells through chemistry
Luc Reymond1, Gražvydas Lukinavičius, Keitaro Umezawa
1Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, NCCR Chemical Biology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
This review covers SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag technologies for selective protein labeling in living cells. These chemical biology tools enable visualization of cellular processes and protein activity.
Area of Science:
- Chemical biology
- Molecular imaging
- Cellular biology
Background:
- Visualizing cellular processes requires molecular probes.
- Selective protein labeling in living cells is a key challenge.
- Synthetic probes offer a route to creating cellular indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag technologies.
- To highlight their application in studying cellular processes.
- To discuss their utility for monitoring protein activity and localization.
Main Methods:
- Review of SNAP-tag technology.
- Review of CLIP-tag technology.
- Discussion of applications in live-cell imaging.
Main Results:
- SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag enable selective protein labeling.
- These technologies facilitate monitoring of protein activity.
- They aid in the intracellular localization of synthetic probes.
Conclusions:
- SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag are valuable tools in chemical biology.
- These labeling approaches advance the study of cellular processes.
- They provide insights into protein dynamics within living cells.
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