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Abstract
The advent of uorescent proteins (FPs) for genetic labeling of molecules and cells has revolutionized uorescence microscopy. Genetic manipulations have created a vast array of bright and stable FPs spanning blue to red spectral regions. Common to autouorescent FPs is their tight b-barrel structure, which provides the rigidity and chemical environment needed for effectual uorescence. Despite the common structure, eachFP has unique properties. Thus, there is no single best FPfor every circumstance, and each FP has advantages and disadvantages. To guide decisions about which FP is rightfor a given application, we have quantitatively characterized the brightness, photostability, pH stability and monomeric properties of more than 40 FPs to enable straightforward and direct comparison between them. We focus on popular and/or top-performing FPs in each spectral region.