Protein-based fluorescent dyes are biologically derived fluorophores for high-precision labeling, imaging, molecular diagnostics, biosensing, protein tracking, and immunoassays. These dyes offer exceptional brightness and high quantum yield, providing versatile options for a wide range of applications.
Among the most commonly used protein-based fluorophores are R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) and allophycocyanin (APC), both derived from algae, as well as PerCP (peridinin-chlorophyll-protein complex), which originates from photosynthetic dinoflagellates. These fluorophores are particularly prominent in biological research, especially in flow cytometry and immunostaining.
Due to their high fluorescence intensity and excellent quantum efficiency, protein-based dyes are often employed as donor fluorophores in tandem dye conjugates. This results in brighter, more stable signals, enabling improved resolution and accuracy in multicolor flow cytometric analysis.