Fluorescent proteins; the gift of the oceans to scientific research and biotechnology

Fluorescent proteins; the gift of the oceans to scientific research and biotechnology

Professor Peter Roepstorff, dr.hc., cand.polyt., Institute of Biochemistry and M olecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark

Bioluminescent and fluorescent proteins, particularly green fluorescent protein (GFP), have in recent years become essential tools in connection with molecular biology and biomedical research. GFP was isolated from a jellyfish, Aequora victoria, which is found withsh great frequency in the state of Washington (USA). Since then, fluorescent proteins have been found also in, for instance, corals, sea anemones and other marine organisms.

Since GFP were extracted from animal cells for the first time in 1994, the protein has been used within fields as diverse as for instance cellular biology, pharmaceutical products development, plant physiology, environmental research, patient diagnostics and production of industrial proteins.

A number of GFP variants with improved spectral properties have been produced through genetic modification of the naturally occurring GFP. These variant have shown to have great commercial market potential.

As the practical application of these proteins often presupposes their ability to enter into fusion with the relevant proteins, which we wish to study, without influencing the functions of these proteins, the future increase in scientific and industrial application of fluorescent proteins will necessitate an expansion of the range of available fluorescent proteins. The sea is a virtually inexhaustible source of such proteins, and the purpose of this project in connection with the Galathea 3 expedition is to find, isolate and characterise such new proteins from marine organisms.

The project establishes a direct link between academic research and industrial application.