Advances in the development of new fluorescent reporters and imaging techniques have revolutionized our ability to directly visualize biological processes in living systems. Real-time analysis of protein localization, dynamics, and interactions has been made possible by site-specific protein labeling with custom designed probes. This review outlines some of the most recent advances in the design and application of live-cell imaging probes, with a particular focus on SNAP-tag technology. Specific examples illustrating applications in superresolution and single-molecule imaging, protein trafficking and recycling, and protein-protein interactions are presented.
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