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Related Concept Videos

Reporter Genes02:11

Reporter Genes

Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.
Commonly used reporter...
Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Ribosome Profiling02:24

Ribosome 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...
Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria01:29

Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
12:20

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons

Published on: August 6, 2014

Imaging bacterial protein expression using genetically encoded RNA sensors.

Wenjiao Song1, Rita L Strack, Samie R Jaffrey

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA.

Nature Methods
|July 23, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed new fluorescent sensors using Spinach RNA to track protein expression dynamics in live bacteria. This breakthrough allows real-time imaging of protein levels within single bacterial cells.

More Related Videos

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues
07:10

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues

Published on: February 19, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
12:20

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons

Published on: August 6, 2014

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues
07:10

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues

Published on: February 19, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Imaging protein expression dynamics in live bacteria is challenging.
  • Existing methods often lack real-time capabilities or specificity.
  • Need for advanced tools to study bacterial physiology at the single-cell level.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a novel method for real-time imaging of protein expression in live bacteria.
  • To utilize Spinach RNA-based fluorescent sensors for enhanced sensitivity and specificity.
  • To establish a generalizable strategy for single-bacterium protein expression analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Engineered fluorescent sensors utilizing Spinach RNA.
  • Demonstrated selective binding of sensors to target proteins.
  • Utilized these sensors in live Escherichia coli for fluorescence imaging.
  • Developed a strategy for real-time, single-bacterium analysis.

Main Results:

  • Successfully imaged protein expression dynamics in live bacterial cells.
  • Demonstrated that Spinach RNA activates small-molecule fluorophore fluorescence upon protein binding.
  • Achieved real-time visualization of protein expression at the single-bacterium level.
  • Validated the specificity and sensitivity of the developed sensors.

Conclusions:

  • Fluorescent sensors based on Spinach RNA overcome challenges in imaging bacterial protein expression dynamics.
  • This approach enables real-time, single-bacterium protein imaging in living Escherichia coli.
  • The developed strategy is generalizable for studying protein expression in bacteria.