You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to variant fluorescent proteins, and more specifically to Anthozoan fluorescent proteins that have a reduced propensity to oligomerize, where such proteins form monomeric and/or dimeric structures. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such fluorescent protein monomers and dimers.
2. Description of the Related Art
The identification and isolation of fluorescent proteins in various organisms, including marine organisms, has provided a valuable tool to molecular biology. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) of the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, for example, has become a commonly used reporter molecule for examining various cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression, the localization and interactions of cellular proteins, the pH of intracellular compartments, and the activities of enzymes.
The usefulness of Aequorea GFP has led to the identification of numerous other fluorescent proteins in an effort to obtain proteins having different useful fluorescence characteristics. In addition, spectral variants of Aequorea GFP have been engineered, thus providing proteins that are excited or fluoresce at different wavelengths, for different periods of time, and under different conditions. The identification and cloning of a red fluorescent protein from Discosoma coral, termed DsRed or drFP583, has raised a great deal of interest due to its ability to fluoresce at red wavelengths.
The DsRed from Discosoma (Matz et al., Nature Biotechnology 17:969-973 [1999]) holds great promise for biotechnology and cell biology as a spectrally distinct companion or substitute for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the Aequorea jellyfish (Tsien, Ann. Rev. Biochem., 67:509-544[1998]). GFP and its blue, cyan, and yellow variants have found widespread use as genetically encoded indicators for tracking gene expression and protein localization and as donor/acceptor pairs for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Extending the spectrum of available colors to red wavelengths would provide a distinct new label for multicolor tracking of fusion proteins and together with GFP (or a suitable variant) would provide a new FRET donor/acceptor pair that should be superior to the currently preferred cyan/yellow pair (Mizuno et al., Biochemistry 40:2502-2510 [2001]).
All coelenterate fluorescent proteins cloned to date display some form of quaternary structure, including the weak tendency of Aequorea green fluorescent protein (GFP) to dimerize, the obligate dimerization of Renilla GFP, and the obligate tetramerization of the Discosoma DsRed (Baird et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:11984-11989 [2000]; and Vrzheshch et al., FEBS Lett., 487:203-208 [2000]). While the weak dimerization of Aequorea GFP has not impeded its acceptance as an indispensable tool of cell biology, the obligate tetramerization of DsRed has greatly hindered its development from a scientific curiosity to a generally applicable and robust tool, most notably as genetically encoded fusion tag.
DsRed tetramerization presents an obstacle for the researcher who wishes to image the subcellular localization of a red fluorescent chimera, as the question exists as to what extent will fusing tetrameric DsRed to the protein of interest affect the location and function of the latter. Furthermore, it can be difficult in some cases to confirm whether a result is due, for example, to a specific interaction of two proteins under investigation, or whether a perceived interaction is an artifact caused by the oligomerization of fluorescent proteins linked to each of the two proteins under investigation. There have been several published reports (see, e.g., Mizuno et al., Biochemistry 40:2502-2510 [2001]; and Lauf et al., FEBS Lett., 498:11-15 [2001]) and many unpublished anecdotal communications, in which DsRed chimeras have been described as forming intracellular aggregates that have lost their biological activity. DsRed also suffers from slow and incomplete maturation (Baird et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:11984-11989 [2000]).
One approach to overcome these shortcomings has been to continue the search for DsRed homologues in sea coral and anemone; an approach that has yielded several red shifted proteins (Fradkov et al., FEBS Lett., 479:127-130 [2000]; and Lukyanov et al., J. Biol. Chem., 275:25879-25882 [2000]). However, the fundamental problem of tetramerization has yet to be overcome. The only published progress towards decreasing the oligomeric state of a red fluorescent protein involved an engineered DsRed homologue, commercially available as HcRed1 (CLONTECH), which was converted to a dimer with a single interface mutation (Gurskaya et al., FEBS Lett., 507:16-20 [2001]). Although HcRed1 has the additional benefit of being 35 nm red-shifted from DsRed, it is limited by a low extinction coefficient (20,000 M−1 cm−1) and quantum yield (0.015) (CLONTECH Laboratories Inc., (2002) Living Colors User Manual Vol. II: Red Fluorescent Protein [Becton, Dickinson and Company], p. 4) making the protein problematic to use in experimental systems.
Similarly, most previous attempts to improve the rate and/or extent of maturation of DsRed (Verkhusha et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276:29621-29624 [2001]; and Terskikh et al., J. Biol. Chem., 277:7633-7636 [2002]) including the commercially available DsRed2 (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, Calif.), have provided only modest improvements. Recently, an engineered variant of DsRed, known as T1 (shown in FIG. 1A), has become available and effectively solved the problem of the slow maturation (Bevis and Glick, Nat. Biotechnol., 20:83-87 [2002]). However this variant appears to still suffer from an incomplete maturation and therefore like DsRed, a significant fraction of the protein remains as the green fluorescent intermediate in the aged tetramer.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for the development of red fluorescent polypeptides that find use in scientific applications without technical limitations due to oligomerization, especially tetramerization. There exists a need for methods to produce fluorescent proteins having reduced propensity for oligomerization, especially tetramerization. Most significantly, there exists a need for methods to produce fluorescent proteins that demonstrate useful fluorescence in a monomeric state in experimental systems. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides additional advantages.