Phycobiliprotein


Phycobiliproteins are water-soluble proteins present in cyanobacteria and certain algae which capture light energy, which is then passed on to chlorophylls during photosynthesis. Phycobiliproteins are formed of a complex between proteins and covalently bound phycobilins that act as chromophores. They are most important constituents of the phycobilisomes.

Major phycobiliproteins

Characteristics and applications in biotechnology

Phycobiliproteins elicit great fluorescent properties compared to small organic fluorophores, especially when high sensitivity or multicolor detection is required :
As a result, phycobiliproteins allow very high detection sensitivity, and can be used in various fluorescence based techniques , , FISH and multicolor detection.