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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Synthesis of Wavelength-shifting DNA Hybridization Probes by Using Photostable Cyanine Dyes
Published on: July 6, 2016
A 6-nm ultra-photostable DNA FluoroCube for fluorescence imaging
Stefan Niekamp1,2, Nico Stuurman1,2, Ronald D Vale3,4
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Photobleaching limits extended imaging of fluorescent biological samples. We developed DNA-based 'FluoroCubes' that are similar in size to the green fluorescent protein, have single-point attachment to proteins, have a ~54-fold higher photobleaching lifetime and emit ~43-fold more photons than single organic dyes. We demonstrate that DNA FluoroCubes provide outstanding tools for single-molecule imaging, allowing the tracking of single motor proteins for >800 steps with nanometer precision.
