1544-De Novo Design of Fluorophore-Binding Proteins

Paper Talk · Sep 5, 2026 · 26m

Researchers used computational protein design and machine learning to create a new class of small proteins, called Novotags, that specifically bind to high-performance synthetic dyes. These engineered proteins combine the genetic targetability of traditional fluorescent proteins with the superior brightness and stability of chemical fluorophores. By developing versions that bind distinct dyes across the visible spectrum, the team enabled multiplexed imaging, allowing multiple cellular components to be visualized simultaneously with high resolution. The study further introduced covalent…