Building Bridges to New Fluorophores

使用超出可见范围的光对细胞和组织进行成像是有利的，因为 很少有内源性分子能够吸收或发射这些较长的波长。这 导致较低的光毒性和较高的信噪比 和较少的来自自发荧光的干扰。在该波长区域中合适的荧光染料具有 花青是一类荧光团，通常具有低的光稳定性和大的 尺寸因此，在该波长范围内开发更小和更耐光的染料是必要的。 非常可取。在本提案中，我们将探讨电子供体的范围以及 在不同位置和染料中进行降低LUMO的取代，目标是优化紧凑的近红外光谱 荧光团、猝灭剂和荧光探针的广泛应用。

Imaging of cells and tissues using light beyond the visible range is advantageous because there are few endogenous molecules capable of absorbing or emitting at these longer wavelengths. This results in lower phototoxicity and higher signal-to-noise as there is less attenuation of the optical signal and less interference from autofluorescence. Suitable fluorescent dyes in this wavelength region have long been dominated by cyanines, a class of fluorophore that typically has low photostability and large size. The development of smaller and more photostable dyes in this wavelength region is therefore highly desirable. In this proposal, we will explore the scope of electron donors and the incorporation of LUMO-lowering substitutions in different positions and dyes, with the goal of optimized compact near-IR fluorophores, quenchers, and fluorogenic probes for a wide range of applications.