Novel Near Infrared Fluorescent Dyes

We will use two approaches to produce new near infrared (nir) dyes for use as fluorescent probes for biological sensing. The first approach will build on the experience of the laboratory of Dr. Leslie Loew in the development of fluorescent dyes based on the aminostyryl pyridinium chromophore and its analogs. These dyes have extraordinary Stokes shifts and, when bound to biological macromolecules or molecular assemblies, high quantum yields. The second approach exploits the newly emerging technology revolving around luminescent lanthanide chelates and cryptates. These compounds employ energy transfer between the ligand and the metal ion which then emits a nir photon with a long (0.1 to 10 ms) luminescence lifetime, making them ideal for time-gated detection schemes. All new dyes will be fully characterized by mass spectroscopy, nmr and elemental analysis. Also, absorbance and emission spectra, fluorescence quantum efficiencies and fluorescence lifetimes will be measured. Because near infrared light is becoming readily and cheaply available through new diode laser and led technologies, is less destructive to tissue, has better penetrating ability and is less subject to interference from background light, these compounds will be of tremendous utility in conjunction with new micro fluorescence detection modalities being developed by Ciencia and elsewhere.