NanoLuc: A Small Luciferase Is Brightening Up the Field of Bioluminescence

The biomedical field has greatly benefited from the discovery of bioluminescent proteins. Currently, scientists employ bioluminescent systems for numerous biomedical applications, ranging from highly sensitive cellular assays to bioluminescence-based molecular imaging. Traditionally, these systems are based on Firefly and Renilla luciferases; however, the applicability of these enzymes is limited by their size, stability, and luminescence efficiency. NanoLuc (NLuc), a novel bioluminescence platform, offers several advantages over established systems, including enhanced stability, smaller size, and >150-fold increase in luminescence. In addition, the substrate for NLuc displays enhanced stability and lower…

• AC
  American Cancer Society

  Award: 125246-RSG-13-099-01-CCE
• UO
  University of Wisconsin-Madison
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Awards: 1R01CA169365, P30CA014520, T32CA009206
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Award: T32GM008505
• NI
  National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering