Phycoerythrin is a phycobiliprotein pigment used by certain algae and cyanobacteria to capture light for photosynthesis. It absorbs light in the green–blue spectrum and emits a bright-red fluorescence. In biochemistry, it is studied as a fluorescent marker and diagnostic tool due to its strong, stable fluorescence. Its name reflects its origin from cyanobacteria (phyco-) and red pigment (erythrin).
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