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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Monitoring ER/SR Calcium Release with the Targeted Ca2+ Sensor CatchER+

Monitoring ER/SR Calcium Release with the Targeted Ca2+ Sensor CatchER+

Published on: May 19, 2017

Genetically Encoded Ca²⁺ Sensors.

Danai Laskaratou¹, Olivia Olislaegers¹, Hideaki Mizuno²

¹Laboratory of Biomolecular Network Dynamics, Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology Section, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

|December 19, 2025

Summary

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) offer improved cellular localization and animal loading compared to traditional organic calcium sensors. This review traces GECI development and compares them with older methods for studying cellular calcium dynamics.

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Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Biochemistry
Neuroscience

Background:

Cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+) are vital second messengers in cellular signaling pathways.
Accurate visualization of Ca2+ spatiotemporal dynamics is crucial for understanding cellular processes.
Fluorescence imaging techniques have revolutionized the study of Ca2+.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the development of genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs).
To compare the advantages and limitations of GECIs versus traditional organic calcium sensors.
To highlight GECIs as advanced tools for studying cellular calcium dynamics.

Main Methods:

Historical overview of calcium imaging techniques, starting from aequorin microinjection.
Discussion of organic calcium chelators like BAPTA, quin2, Fura-2, and Fluo-3.
Focus on the development and characteristics of genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs).

Main Results:

Organic calcium sensors, while widely used, present challenges in cellular localization and in vivo application.
GECIs overcome limitations of organic sensors, offering better control over localization and easier loading in living animals.
GECIs represent a significant advancement in calcium imaging technology.

Conclusions:

GECIs provide superior solutions for visualizing calcium dynamics in biological systems.
The evolution from organic sensors to GECIs has greatly enhanced the study of cell signaling.
GECIs are indispensable tools for modern research in cell biology and neuroscience.