Luminescent Compound Conjugates for Visible-Light Multiplex Labeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorescent dyes used in biological applications often require excitation at phototoxic UV or near-UV wavelengths, causing potential harm, and multiplex assays using different dyes complicate systems due to varied excitation requirements.
Innovation Solution
Development of luminescent compounds capable of forming covalent bonds with biomolecules, allowing excitation at the same or similar wavelengths while emitting at different wavelengths, thus simplifying assays and reducing phototoxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent dyes are used for labeling biomolecules, then detection capability is improved, but phototoxicity increases due to requirement of UV or near-UV excitation wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the excitation wavelength parameter from UV/near-UV range to visible light range (405-650 nm). The luminescent compounds are designed with specific heterocyclic core structures (triphenylene, triindole, tripyrrole, etc.) that absorb visible light and transfer energy to fluorophores, enabling excitation at non-phototoxic wavelengths while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an energy transfer mediator system where the luminescent compound acts as an intermediary between visible light and the fluorophore. The luminescent compound absorbs visible light and transfers energy to the fluorophore, which then emits light for detection. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to use safe visible light excitation while achieving the desired fluorescence signal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different fluorescent dyes are used for multiplex assays, then detection of multiple analytes is improved, but system complexity increases due to varied excitation wavelength requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal luminescent compound platform that can detect multiple analytes through a single excitation wavelength. Different fluorophores (F1, F2, F3, etc.) with distinct emission wavelengths are coupled to the same luminescent compound core, allowing one excitation source to drive multiple detection channels simultaneously, thus achieving multiplex capability without increasing excitation system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into separate fluorophore units (F1, F2, F3, etc.), each responsible for detecting a specific analyte with its own emission wavelength. This segmentation allows parallel detection of multiple analytes through wavelength discrimination while using a unified excitation mechanism, reducing overall system complexity compared to requiring multiple excitation sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If covalent bonding functional groups are added to luminescent compounds, then conjugation capability with biomolecules is improved, but molecular complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the functional group capability at specific positions (Y1, Y2, Y3) on the luminescent compound molecule. Each Y position can independently bear a covalent bonding functional group (carboxylic acid, amine, thiol, hydroxyl, isothiocyanate, azide, or maleimide), allowing selective conjugation at specific locations without complicating the entire molecular structure. The core luminescent structure remains relatively simple while gaining versatile conjugation capability through localized functional group attachment.
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
Enables efficient and safe labeling of biomolecules with reduced complexity, facilitating multiplex assays by using luminescent compounds that can be excited at safer wavelengths and emit at distinct wavelengths for specific detection.
Implementation Method 1
The luminescent compound may exhibit a Stokes shift of between 8000 cm−1 to 25000 cm−1, for example, between 15000 cm−1 to 25000 cm−1
Implementation Method 2
one or more of Y1, Y2, and/or Y3 comprises a spacing portion comprising a continuous chain of between three and twenty atoms and further comprising a functional group capable of forming a covalent bond with a second species
Data Source
AI summary
A luminescent compound represented by the following general formula: wherein X represents one of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, a phosphorus atom, or a selenium atom; R represents an aromatic group and/or an aliphatic group; p is an integer of 1 or 2; q and s are independently integers of 1, 2, 3, or 4; Y1, Y2, and Y3 independently comprise, consist of, or represent a hydrogen atom, a deuterium atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a polyether chain, a polyglycol group, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a cyano group, or a nitro group; two or more of Y1, Y2, and/or Y3 may combine together to form a condensed ring; wherein one or more of Y1, Y2, and/or Y3 comprises a spacing portion comprising a continuous chain of between 3 and 20 atoms, and further comprising a functional group capable of forming a covalent bond with a second species, the functional group being selected from one or more of a carboxylic acid, an ester, an azide, an amine, a maleimide, a thiol, an isothiocyanate, a carbonyl, and/or an aliphatic alcohol.