The invention provides multifunctional fusion constructs which are rapidly
incorporated into a macromolecular structure such as a phycobilisome such
that the fusion proteins are separated from one another and unable to
self-associate. The invention provides methods and compositions for
displaying a functional polypeptide domain on an oligomeric
phycobiliprotein. including fusion proteins comprising a functional
displayed domain and a functional phycobiliprotein domain incorporated in
a functional oligomeric phycobiliprotein. The fusion proteins provide
novel specific labeling reagents.