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Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
Published on: August 6, 2014
Capabilities and challenges for the use of fluorescent RNAs in RNA dynamics research
Mengyue Fang1, Ying Jiang1, Xianjun Chen1
1Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Visualizing RNA dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution is key to understanding their biological function. Fluorescent RNAs (FRs), which are fluorescent protein (FP)-like entities comprising RNA aptamers and their cognate fluorogenic dyes, provide an attractive approach for visualizing RNAs in live cells. In this opinion, we present the current potential of emerging FRs for real-time and multiplexed fluorescence imaging of RNA dynamics at the single molecule level or with super-resolution and provide guidance for the methodological and experimental factors that need to be considered when performing RNA imaging by FRs, thus, increasing their effectiveness. We also provide perspectives and future directions for the development of FRs for advanced RNA imaging.
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