Journal Article

DZNE-2026-00522

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png PinkyCaMP: an mScarlet-based calcium sensor with enhanced brightness, photostability and multiplexing capabilities.

Fink, R. ; Imai, S. ; Gockel, N. E.DZNE* ; Lauer, G. ; Renken, K. ; Wietek, J. ; Lamothe-Molina, P. J. ; Fuhrmann, F.DZNE* ; Mittag, M.DZNE* ; Ziebarth, T. ; Canziani, A. ; Kubitschke, M. ; Kistmacher, V. ; Kretschmer, A.DZNE* ; Sebastian, E.DZNE* ; Ottens, J. ; Schmitz, D.DZNE* ; Terai, T. ; Gründemann, J.DZNE* ; Hassan, S. I. ; Patriarchi, T. ; Reiner, A. ; Fuhrmann, M.DZNE* ; Campbell, R. E. ; Masseck, O. A.

2026
Nature Publishing Group London [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41592-026-03065-2

Abstract: Genetically encoded calcium (Ca2+) indicators (GECIs) are essential tools for monitoring neuronal activity, but the performance of red fluorescent GECIs has remained limited. In particular, many red indicators are relatively dim, produce low signal-to-noise ratios and can undergo unwanted photoswitching when exposed to blue light, restricting their use in all-optical experiments that combine imaging with optogenetics or multicolor imaging. Here we show the development of PinkyCaMP, a Ca2+ sensor based on the bright red fluorescent protein mScarlet. PinkyCaMP exhibits markedly improved brightness, photostability and signal-to-noise ratio compared to existing red GECIs, while remaining fully compatible with blue-light-based optogenetic and dual-color imaging approaches. PinkyCaMP is well-tolerated by neurons, showing no detectable toxicity or aggregation, both in vitro and in vivo. PinkyCaMP enables a broad spectrum of imaging modalities, including single-photon methods, such as fiber photometry, widefield imaging and miniature microscopy imaging, as well as two-photon imaging in awake mice.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Calcium: metabolism (MeSH) ; Calcium: analysis (MeSH) ; Mice (MeSH) ; Luminescent Proteins: chemistry (MeSH) ; Luminescent Proteins: genetics (MeSH) ; Luminescent Proteins: metabolism (MeSH) ; Optogenetics: methods (MeSH) ; Neurons: metabolism (MeSH) ; Red Fluorescent Protein (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio (MeSH) ; HEK293 Cells (MeSH) ; Calcium ; Luminescent Proteins ; Red Fluorescent Protein

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Neuroimmunology and Imaging (AG Fuhrmann)
2. Neural Circuit Computations (AG Gründemann)
3. Network Dysfunction (AG Schmitz)

Research Program(s):

1. 352 - Disease Mechanisms (POF4-352) (POF4-352)
2. 351 - Brain Function (POF4-351) (POF4-351)

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 40 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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