Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
08:58
Efficient Sampling of Genetically Encoded Biosensor Design Space Enabled with a Design of Experiments and Automation Workflow
Published on: October 17, 2025
850
Optimization of a genetically encoded biosensor for cyclin B1-cyclin dependent kinase 1
Ahmed Saied F Belal1, Brittney R Sell, Hiofan Hoi
1Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada. robert.e.campbell@ualberta.ca.
Molecular Biosystems
|November 28, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed a high-throughput screening method to engineer better fluorescent protein (FP)-based biosensors. This resulted in an improved cyclin B1-CDK1 biosensor with a significantly higher response for monitoring kinase activity in cells.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Fluorescent protein (FP)-based biosensors enable real-time monitoring of enzyme activities within live cells.
- First-generation biosensors often exhibit limited fluorescence responses, hindering their widespread application.
- Protein engineering to enhance biosensor performance is typically labor- and time-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-throughput screening method for improving FP-based biosensor responses.
- To engineer a second-generation cyclin B1-CDK1 biosensor with enhanced performance.
Main Methods:
- Application of a high-throughput bacterial colony screening strategy.
- Protein engineering focused on improving kinase biosensor responses.
Main Results:
- Successful implementation of a high-throughput bacterial colony screen for biosensor optimization.
- Development of a second-generation cyclin B1-CDK1 biosensor.
- Achieved a 4.5-fold increase in fluorescence response compared to the first-generation biosensor.
Conclusions:
- High-throughput screening is an effective approach for rapidly improving FP-based biosensor performance.
- The enhanced cyclin B1-CDK1 biosensor offers a more sensitive tool for studying cell cycle regulation.
- This methodology can be applied to engineer other FP-based biosensors for various enzyme activities.
