Enlarging the Stokes Shift by Weakening the π-Conjugation of Cyanines for High Signal-to-Noise Ratiometric Imaging.

ABSTRACT: The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is one of the key features of a fluorescent probe and one that often defines its potential utility for in vivo labeling and analyte detection applications. Here, it is reported that introducing a pyridine group into traditional cyanine-7 dyes in an asymmetric manner provides a series of tunable NIR fluorescent dyes (Cy-Mu-7) characterized by enhanced Stokes shifts (≈230 nm) compared to the parent cyanine 7 dye (<25 nm). The observed Stokes shift increase is ascribed to symmetry breaking of the Cy-Mu-7 core and a reduction in the extent of conjugation. The fluorescence signals of the Cy-Mu-7 dyes are enhanced upon confinement within the hydrophobic cavity of albumin or via spontaneous encapsulation within micelles in aqueous media. Utilizing the Cy-Mu-7, ultr

SUBMITTER: Yue Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9875656 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature