Demonstrated that GFP from Prasher 1992 fluoresces in E. coli and C. elegans without any jellyfish-specific cofactors. Established GFP as a genetically encoded reporter. This is the foundational paper for using GFP as a biological tool.
Green fluorescent protein as a marker for gene expression
Key findings
Abstract
A complementary DNA for the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) produces a fluorescent product when expressed in prokaryotic (Escherichia coli) or eukaryotic (Caenorhabditis elegans) cells. Because exogenous substrates and cofactors are not required for this fluorescence, GFP expression can be used to monitor gene expression and protein localization in living organisms.