Green Fluorescent Protein Purification Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is a relatively new biochemical tool with a wide range of applications in current research. The natural function of GFP is to facilitate the bioluminescence of jellyfish and other coelenterates. Aequorea GFP (from jellyfish) consists of 238 amino acids packed tightly together in a cylindrical structure called a beta-can (characterized by Yang, et. Al.); the fluorophore is situated on the interior of this structure making it inaccessible to solvents. This fluorophore is believed to be stabilized by hydrogen bonding w