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Reporter Genes

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.

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

Different fluorescence-based techniques are used to study the protein dynamics in living cells. These techniques include FRAP, FRET, and PET.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Quantification of Efferocytosis by Single-cell Fluorescence Microscopy

Quantification of Efferocytosis by Single-cell Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: August 18, 2018

Observing and Quantifying Fluorescent Reporters.

Michael Hendricks¹

¹Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Ave Docteur Penfield, Rm N5/12, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 1B1. michael.hendricks@mcgill.ca.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|October 2, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This guide explains how to use fluorescence microscopy to observe genetically encoded fluorescent reporters in live Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) animals. It details essential microscope components for imaging physiological processes in intact organisms.

Keywords:

Digital image analysis Fluorescent proteins Microscopy

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Last Updated: Apr 1, 2026

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Genetically encoded fluorescent reporters offer noninvasive in vivo observation of physiological processes.
The transparency of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is ideal for internal imaging.
Limited experience with fluorescence imaging can be a barrier for researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a foundational understanding of fluorescence imaging techniques for C. elegans research.
To outline the basic microscope components necessary for observing fluorescent proteins in live animals.
To empower students and researchers with limited fluorescence imaging experience.

Main Methods:

Discussion of essential microscope components for fluorescence imaging.
Guidance on observing, imaging, and measuring fluorescent proteins in live C. elegans.
Focus on practical aspects for researchers new to fluorescence analysis.

Main Results:

Provides a clear overview of the necessary equipment for fluorescence microscopy in C. elegans.
Enables researchers to visualize and quantify physiological events in real-time.
Facilitates the application of advanced imaging techniques in C. elegans models.

Conclusions:

Basic fluorescence microscopy is accessible for C. elegans researchers with limited experience.
Proper understanding of microscope components is key to successful in vivo imaging.
This resource aids in the noninvasive study of physiological processes in intact C. elegans.