New vibrant red fluorescent protein has massive global impact on cell biology R&D

Fluorescent proteins are essential tools in biological research, helping to visualize various cell types and structures. They play a key role in studies ranging from stem cell research to investigations into cancer-related proteins. A research team from the University of Amsterdam, led by Dorus Gadella, has developed a new, bright red fluorescent protein called mScarlet3. Its predecessor, mScarlet, gained rapid popularity in the scientific community and is now widely used in cell biology research across the globe.

The challenge

In the 1990s, scientists used a fluorescent protein as a coloured marker in a cell for the first time. That protein was green and came from a fluorescent jellyfish. In the 2000s, a red fluorescent protein was discovered in corals. But turning this protein into a usable and bright red light for cell research proved to be a lot more challenging.

The development of a zebrafish embryo, visualized with the help of mScarlet3. Each spot represents an mScarlet3-labeled cell nucleus.
Image: Dorus Gadella (UvA) and Ben Giepmans (UMCG)

Breakthrough: red fluorescent protein

In 2016, a team led by University of Amsterdam biologist Dorus Gadella achieved a breakthrough by developing a new, bright red fluorescent protein that marked a significant leap forward. With mScarlet3 they optimized the protein for maximum red brightness within cells. This much-improved version enhances the toolbox available to scientists in the lab, making it more comprehensive than ever before. As a result, there is great interest among the scientific community world-wide to use this bright red fluorescent protein in for their own research. Meanwhile, 949 mScarlet 3 plasmid DNA samples were shipped to 33 countries around the world in 1.5 years for diverse academic research projects.

“Bright red fluorescent proteins are highly sought after because excitation of these red proteins is less harmful to cells than exciting green proteins. We expect a lot from new applications with mScarlet3, including for making new red fluorescent biosensors where mScarlet3 can be used to image specific cell functions.”

Dorus Gadella, professor of Molecular Cytology, UvA and lead scientist behind mScarlet3

mScarlet3 available on the market

The genetic code of mScarlet3 has been patented by the University of Amsterdam and has been licensed out to Allele Biotechnology, a biotech company located in San Diego, California. Allele Biotechnology plans to broaden the availability of mScarlet3, offering it to companies engaged in research, product innovation, and pharmaceutical development. Furthermore, the company will make mScarlet3-based reagents accessible to universities, research institutions, and companies worldwide. This initiative aims to enhance global utilization of mScarlet3’s unique properties and capabilities across scientific and industrial applications.

Contact us!

If you are interested in the technology or have questions, please contact Dorus Gabella or Francesca Rivello, IXA Business Developer at the Knowledge Transfer Office of the University of Amsterdam, f.m.rivello@uva.nl