Publications by authors named "Spencer A Clark"
Hydrazone and oxime bond formation between α-nucleophiles ( hydrazines, alkoxy-amines) and carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) is convenient and is widely applied in multiple fields of research. While the reactants are simple, a substantial drawback is the relatively slow reaction at neutral pH. Here we describe a novel molecular strategy for accelerating these reactions, using bifunctional buffer compounds that not only control pH but also catalyze the reaction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe describe a novel molecular strategy for engendering a strong light-up signal in fluorescence tagging of the genetically encoded HaloTag protein domain. We designed a set of haloalkane-derivatized dyes having twisted internal charge transfer (TICT) structures potentially narrow enough to partially fit into the enzyme's haloalkane-binding channel. Testing a range of short chain lengths revealed a number of active dyes, with seven carbons yielding optimum light-up signal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenetically encoded methods for protein conjugation are of high importance as biological tools. Here we describe the development of a new class of dyes for genetically encoded tagging that add new capabilities for protein reporting and detection via HaloTag methodology. Oligodeoxyfluorosides (ODFs) are short DNA-like oligomers in which the natural nucleic acid bases are replaced by interacting fluorescent chromophores, yielding a broad range of emission colors using a single excitation wavelength.
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