red fluorescence - (Nov/21/2006 )

I have transfected my protein of interest fused with red fluorescent gene in HEK293 cells.The protein is secreted from the cell surface,so the transfected cells are secreting protein fused with red fluorescent along with the normal one(confirmed by western).
My question is that should the fluorescence be visible by naked eye also,i mean the solution should appear red or something like that?Why or why not?
Im too confused regarding this.

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No, you won't see the fluorescence just by eye. Because first the intensity is to low and you can't see it just by eye. Second fluorescence is really just over-shone by normal light ( which is why you have to use a filter in the microscope). Third, fluorescence does't just "diffuse" around, so that your whole solution would be red.
When you are lucky you see the fluorescence in the fluorescence microscope in single cells. If not or not bright enough, you can just as well stain with an antibody against RFP (and the take a secondary antibody which is coupled to some red dye), which may make your life easier.
Good Luck with that !

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you may see by eye if red fluorescence is excited with its appropriate wavelength as LASER light, sth above 600 nm

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