A genetic engineering strategy for editing near-infrared-II fluorophores.

ABSTRACT: The second near-infrared (NIR-II) window is a fundamental modality for deep-tissue in vivo imaging. However, it is challenging to synthesize NIR-II probes with high quantum yields (QYs), good biocompatibility, satisfactory pharmacokinetics, and tunable biological properties. Conventional long-wavelength probes, such as inorganic probes (which often contain heavy metal atoms in their scaffolds) and organic dyes (which contain large π-conjugated groups), exhibit poor biosafety, low QYs, and/or uncontrollable pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, we present a bioengineering strategy that can replace the conventional chemical synthesis methods for generating NIR-II contrast agents. We use a genetic engineering technique to obtain a series of albumin fragments and recombinant proteins containing

SUBMITTER: Tian R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9127093 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature