Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron

We describe a fluorescent assay that can quickly and inexpensively confirm the ability of novel compounds to chelate iron. The assay measures the ability of compounds to outcompete the iron binding activity of the weak iron chelating fluorescent probe Calcein, resulting in a quantifiable increase in fluorescence when chelation occurs.