Expanded genetic code for live-cell fluorescent protein labeling in (neuro)biology

Talk given by Ivana Nikic-Spiegel, PhD (Tuebingen) as part of the International GCE Webinar series. Live talk given on February 16th, 2023.

Modern light microscopy techniques, including super-resolution, have brought about a demand for small labeling tags that bring the fluorophore closer to the target. This challenge can be addressed by combining genetic code expansion-based incorporation of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) with bioorthogonal click chemistry. The minimal size of the UAA and the possibility to couple the fluorophores directly to the protein of interest with single-residue precision in living cells make click labeling unique. In my talk, I will discuss developments in this field and recent applications of this technology in cell and neurobiology.