Fluorescent Probes

The photophysical and photochemical properties of probes in biological and in model systems are topics of intense current research. The wavelength, intensity, time and polarisation dependence of fluorescence probes can provide information on properties as diverse as electric fields and changes in conformation and may be used in the formidable task of establishing structure-function relationships in proteins and cell membranes. The wide scope of interactions which can be studied by these fluorescent molecules is illustrated in the articles in this volume which are based on talks, although much extended and updated, given at a meeting on 'Fluorescence Probes in Proteins and Membranes' held in the Royal Institution in November 1979.