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Problem

While there is a broad spectrum of tools available to fluorescently tag proteins in live cells, fewer approaches for live cell imaging of RNA exist. Current limitations of the gold-standard approach for live cell RNA imaging include perturbed localization, low fluorescence contrast, and inability to detect diverse types of RNAs such as snRNAs and microRNAs.

Solution

Dr. Amy Palmer's team has developed a versatile RNA imaging platform called Riboglow. This technology introduces a novel riboswitch-based RNA imaging system that has several advantages over existing RNA detection systems. First, it requires a small RNA tag. Second, it is comptabile with a wide range of synthetic flurophores spanning from the green to far-red spectral range and retains favorable photophysical properties such as slow photobleaching. Third, it allows for the detection and visualization of diverse types of RNAs. For example, the short size of the RNA tag used in Riboglow enabled the visualization of U1 snRNA in live cells for the first time.

Market Application

Potential applications include drug discovery, drug delivery, academic research and pharmaceutical research.