Seeing Molecules: Measurability

The detector molecule can find the target molecule, but the target molecule still needs to be made measurable.

One method attaches a visible marker such as a fluorescent molecule to the detector molecule (left).

Visibility can be amplified by using another molecule that specifically binds to the detector molecule and carries a visible marker (right).

Two cells each contain the same 10 shapes. One contains two fluorescent molecules, each attached to a detector molecule and the other contains two pairs of amplifier molecules, each attached to a detector molecule.
Left: Fluorescent molecule attached to detector molecule. Right: Amplifier molecule attached to detector molecule.