AIE Nanodots for NIR Fluorescence Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probes face issues with photostability and fluorescence quenching due to aggregation, limiting their effectiveness in bioimaging applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of far-red excitable NIR fluorescent nanodots with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics, featuring a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) structure and mono-substituted tetraphenylethene (TPE) units, which enhance solubility, reduce intermolecular interactions, and blue-shift the emission spectrum, resulting in improved photostability and fluorescence performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional organic dyes are used for NIR fluorescence imaging, then the imaging capability is achieved, but photostability deteriorates and fluorescence quenching occurs due to aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the AIE (aggregation-induced emission) effect, which converts the harmful aggregation phenomenon into a beneficial one. Conventional dyes suffer from aggregation-caused quenching, but AIEgen-based nanodots exhibit enhanced fluorescence emission when aggregated, directly solving the fluorescence quenching problem while maintaining high photostability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the fluorophore by using AIEgen molecules with specific donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) structures and peripheral substituents. This structural parameter change enables the material to exhibit AIE characteristics, transforming it from aggregation-prone conventional dyes to aggregation-resistant fluorescent nanodots with improved photostability
2Illumination intensity
If conventional NIR fluorescence probes are used, then imaging function is provided, but photostability and fluorescence intensity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite fluorescent nanodots by combining AIEgen molecules with carrier materials such as lipids, polymers, or inorganic nanoparticles. This composite structure provides both high fluorescence intensity from the AIEgen core and enhanced photostability from the protective carrier matrix, simultaneously resolving both requirements
3Illumination intensity
If highly fluorescent probes are developed, then imaging brightness is improved, but biocompatibility and tumor selectivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves local quality enhancement by concentrating the fluorescent AIEgen molecules specifically at the tumor site through passive or active targeting mechanisms. The nanodots accumulate in tumor tissue via EPR effect or receptor-mediated targeting, providing high local brightness while maintaining overall biocompatibility and selective tumor visualization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The AIE-dots provide high brightness, excellent biocompatibility, and a high tumor-to-normal tissue ratio, enabling accurate tumor detection and resection with enhanced NIR fluorescence imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
far-red excitable near infrared fluorescent nanodots with aggregation-induced emission characteristics
Implementation Method 2
compounds have aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics and so provide nanodots with said properties (AIE-dots)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) compound of formula I, where in the acceptors are mono-substituted tetraphenylethylene moieties. Also disclosed herein are fluorescent nanodots that comprise the compound of formula (I) and uses of said compound or nanodots in in vivo imaging or detecting of cancer cells in a subject.