Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) is a robust tool to measure Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between two fluorescent proteins, mainly when using genetically-encoded FRET biosensors. It is then possible to monitor biological processes such as kinase activity with a good spatiotemporal resolution and accuracy.
During asymmetric cell division, the molecular motor dynein generates cortical pulling forces which position the spindle to reflect polarity and adequately distribute cell fate determinants. In Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, despite a measured anteroposterior force imbalance, antibody staining failed to reveal dynein enrichment at the posterior cortex, suggesting a transient localization there.
Genetically encoded Förster’s Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensors are indispensable tools to sense the spatiotemporal dynamics of signal transduction pathways. Investigating the crosstalk between different signaling pathways is becoming increasingly important to follow cell development and fate programs.