What are the limitations of GFP in Nanotechnology?
While GFP offers numerous advantages, there are also some limitations to consider:
1. Photobleaching: Prolonged exposure to light can cause GFP to lose its fluorescence, known as photobleaching. This can limit the duration of imaging experiments.
2. Size: The relatively large size of GFP (~27 kDa) may interfere with the normal function of the proteins to which it is fused.
3. Environmental Sensitivity: The fluorescence of GFP can be affected by environmental conditions such as pH and temperature, which may complicate certain experiments.