Fluorescent Compounds Large Stokes Shift Cellular Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescent probes for cellular and organelle imaging have limitations such as low sensitivity, cytotoxicity, high cost, and inability to detect environmental polarity changes, with small Stokes shifts causing spectral overlap and interference in biological applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of a family of fluorophores with large Stokes shifts, high environmental stability, and solvatochromic properties, allowing for selective cellular and subcellular labeling, imaging, and analysis, particularly suitable for diagnosing chronic stress and lipid-related metabolic disorders, which are highly membrane-permeant, non-toxic, and easily synthesized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent probes with small Stokes shifts are used, then the excitation and emission wavelengths are close, but this causes spectral overlap and interference in biological applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing fluorophores with significantly increased Stokes shift values (changing the wavelength difference parameter between excitation and emission). This parameter modification separates the excitation and emission spectra, eliminating spectral overlap and interference while maintaining detection precision.
2Reliability
If conventional fluorescent probes are used for cellular imaging, then labeling can be achieved, but cytotoxicity and low environmental stability limit their application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by creating fluorophore molecules with specific structural compositions (including heterocyclic rings, conjugated systems, and stabilizing substituents) that simultaneously provide environmental stability and reduced cytotoxicity. The composite molecular structure integrates multiple functional elements that work together to enhance reliability while minimizing harmful effects on biological systems.
3Measurement precision
If fluorescent probes are used to detect biological molecules, then sensitivity is improved, but the cost and complexity of probe synthesis increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fluorophore synthesis into modular stages with standardized intermediate compounds. The modular molecular structure allows for systematic assembly of fluorophores with desired properties, reducing synthesis complexity while maintaining detection sensitivity. Common intermediates can be reused across different fluorophore preparations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing synthesis conditions (temperature, catalysts, reaction time) to achieve high sensitivity fluorophores through simplified reaction pathways. By changing key synthesis parameters, the patent reduces the number of steps required while maintaining or enhancing detection sensitivity.
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
These fluorophores provide clear distinction between excitation and emission wavelengths, reducing interference and enhancing signal strength, enabling effective visualization and analysis of cellular structures and lipid compositions with low cytotoxicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence imaging are expanding areas of research
Implementation Method 2
The Stokes shift is the wavelength distance between the excitation and emission wavelengths of a given compound
Implementation Method 3
The compounds now disclosed also present solvatochromism, depending on the solvent polarity
Implementation Method 4
a family of fluorophores, which permeates cell membranes enabling the labelling of fixed or living cells
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to fluorescent compounds with large Stokes' shift. This disclosure also relates to the, production methods and use of said fluorescent compounds for cellular labelling and in vivo imaging for use in medicine or for use in cell culture.