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Journal article

Precision and accuracy of single-molecule FRET measurements—a multi-laboratory benchmark study

Abstract:
Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is increasingly being used to determine distances, structures, and dynamics of biomolecules in vitro and in vivo. However, generalized protocols and FRET standards to ensure the reproducibility and accuracy of measurements of FRET efficiencies are currently lacking. Here we report the results of a comparative blind study in which 20 labs determined the FRET efficiencies (E) of several dye-labeled DNA duplexes. Using a unified, straightforward method, we obtained FRET efficiencies with s.d. between ±0.02 and ±0.05. We suggest experimental and computational procedures for converting FRET efficiencies into accurate distances, and discuss potential uncertainties in the experiment and the modeling. Our quantitative assessment of the reproducibility of intensity-based smFRET measurements and a unified correction procedure represents an important step toward the validation of distance networks, with the ultimate aim of achieving reliable structural models of biomolecular systems by smFRET-based hybrid methods.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41592-018-0085-0

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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-3710-5602


Publisher:
Springer Nature Publishing Group
Journal:
Nature Methods More from this journal
Volume:
15
Pages:
669-676
Publication date:
2018-08-31
Acceptance date:
2018-05-25
DOI:
EISSN:
1548-7105
ISSN:
1548-7091
Pmid:
30171252


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:912075
UUID:
uuid:4e671113-967a-4fbd-bb06-dfcf381cfd8e
Local pid:
pubs:912075
Source identifiers:
912075
Deposit date:
2019-02-06

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