FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer)

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is a technique used to study interactions between molecules, often in biology. It occurs when a donor molecule, excited by light, transfers energy to a nearby acceptor molecule without emitting it as light. If the donor and acceptor are close enough (typically 1-10 nanometers apart), the energy transfer causes the acceptor to fluoresce, emitting a different color of light. Researchers use FRET to gain insights into molecular interactions, protein folding, and cellular processes, helping to visualize and understand complex biological systems at the molecular level.