GREEN FLORESCENT PROTEINS

GREEN FLORESCENT PROTEIN RESEARCH WINS CHEMISTRY NOBEL

Research on Green Florescent Proteins (GFP's) done by Roger Tsien, Osamu Shimomura, and Martin Chalfie won this year's nobel prize in chemistry. A GFP is a protein that can be activated by conducting light through it, not harming the cell or interfering with its processes. The GFP’s can act as tags on proteins in cells with a glowing light so that scientists can track where they go and what they do. Once a protein is tagged, one can see the protein perform all its functions. Right now, the men are using GFP's to highlight tumors, so that their removal is easier, and hope to use GFP's to stop cancer.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/20081008-0253-bn08nobel.html