phycobiliproteins
Cyanobacterial light harvesters
Phycobiliproteins are water-soluble pigment proteins found in cyanobacteria and certain algae, where they capture light energy for photosynthesis.
These proteins—including phycoerythrin (red) and phycocyanin (blue)—give many algae and bacterial mats their vivid colors.
Because they fluoresce brightly, phycobiliproteins are widely used as biological markers in laboratory research and medical diagnostics.
organisms
Photosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
- red algaePhycoerythrin-bearing aquatic photosynthesizers
- blue-green algaePhotosynthetic prokaryotes in water
- noriDried edible seaweed sheets
- dulseEdible red seaweed
photosynthesis
Power moving between systems
- photosystem IILight-harvesting complex splitting water
- excitationStimulation of response
- absorbanceLight uptake measurement
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
applications
Measurable biological health signal
- natural dyePlant-derived fabric tint
- nutraceuticalHealth-benefit food product
- antioxidantOxidation-preventing molecule
- FACSFluorescence-based cell sorting
cyanobacteria
Photosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
- red algaePhycoerythrin-bearing aquatic photosynthesizers
- blue-green algaePhotosynthetic prokaryotes in water
- noriDried edible seaweed sheets
energy transfer
Power moving between systems
- photosystem IILight-harvesting complex splitting water
- excitationStimulation of response
- absorbanceLight uptake measurement
chromophore
Molecule's tint-causing portion
- photopigmentLight-absorbing retinal molecule
biomarker
Measurable biological health signal
- natural dyePlant-derived fabric tint
- nutraceuticalHealth-benefit food product
- antioxidantOxidation-preventing molecule
FACS · microscopy · labeling · diagnostics
hexamer
Six-membered molecular complex
- fluorophoresfluorescein, coumarin, xanthene dyes, CFP, cerulean
- phycobiliproteins
- Biopigmentschlorophyll, melanin, carotenoid, carotenoids, lutein