Fluorescent Proteins Technologies, Applications, and Opportunities for Drug Discovery

Summary

Fluorescent proteins are fast providing novel insights into compound-induced responses in drug discovery. This is taking place from two key vantage points, namely, in real time and in living systems. With non-invasive, non-destructive properties along with the benefit of being genetically-encoded, fluorescent proteins are attractive candidates for tagging a promoter, gene, protein or drug target of interest, in drug discovery based on live-cell analysis.

One major factor contributing to the current applicability of fluorescent proteins is the rich knowledge base available from the cloning, characterization and optimization of the first fluorescent protein cloned - green-fluorescent protein (GFP). Such developments in GFP technology have laid a sound base for future developments associated with fluorescent proteins. Fluorescent proteins, as a wider resource, first became available in 1999 when 'GFP-like' clones were obtained from an unexpected source - non-luminous Indo-Pacific reef corals. This considerably expanded the 'search area' for 'GFP-like' fluorescent proteins, and as such, now over 100 fluorescent proteins have been cloned. In terms of light emission, available fluorescent proteins now collectively span the entire visible color spectrum. These developments provide the assay developer or drug screener with a myriad of fluorescent proteins as assay or screening tools, each with its own shades, tones and hues along with its own unique physical, chemical and biological characteristics.

Scope

This Report describes fluorescent proteins, associated technology and applications, the market for fluorescent proteins and future perspectives on fluorescent proteins. In addition, the intellectual property landscape in this area is summarized, companies invested in fluorescent protein drug discovery are profiled, and key industry players are interviewed.

Market Opportunities

• Invest in basic research (marine biology, molecular and cell biology) to establish a knowledge base on fluorescent proteins and thus enhance their applicability as cellular probes.
• Increase end-user choices of suitable characteristics of a fluorescent protein for a particular application by discovery of new fluorescent proteins.
• Contribute to making fluorescent proteins more 'market ready' by optimizing existing fluorescent proteins by molecular biology techniques.
• Develop novel cell-based assays with fluorescent proteins, which will provide a platform for functional analysis of potential drug targets, for providing insights into cellular dynamics in health and disease, as well as a drug screening tool.
• Create more stable cell lines expressing fluorescent proteins, which will be easier for the end-user and should provide more reproducible data.
• Increase the number of available disease models utilizing fluorescent protein in whole organisms to provide the means for more holistic drug screening.
• Develop tools and technologies to cope with the need for high-throughput and industrialized applications of drug discovery in living systems.
• Increase awareness of IP associated with fluorescent proteins, and create 'user-friendly,' cost-effective licenses, which will impact the accessibility and uptake of the technology and will benefit the biotech/pharma sector.

Key Reasons to Buy

• Determine what is new in the industry with a comprehensive update and discussion of commercially-relevant fluorescent proteins, and fluorescent protein characteristics.
• Discover the implications for drug discovery by obtaining a complete and extensive appraisal of fluorescent protein-based assays.
• Get an up-to-date review on fluorescent proteins through an evaluation of the latest developments and applications, including literature references and Web links.
• Identify trends in each of the associated technology sub-sectors via a thorough review of model organisms, cell-based assays, instrumentation and technology development applications utilizing fluorescent proteins.
• Learn about the current patent and licensing landscape of fluorescent proteins from an evaluation of patent status, licensing agreements, and partnerships, including associated marketing profiles of major fluorescent protein companies.
• Look inside 20 companies utilizing fluorescent proteins for drug development, including their product pipelines, financial standing, partnerships & alliances, and more.
• Gain insight into the many challenges facing the industry through in-depth interviews with five industry experts.