Peptide-Backbone Fluorescent Labels That Prevent Self-Quenching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developing small fluorescent labels with high brightness is challenging due to self-quenching issues arising from dye-dye interactions, which affect the quality of fluorescence imaging, especially in super-resolution and 3D microscopy.

Innovation Solution

Designing fluorescent probes with a peptide backbone that maintains a sufficient distance between fluorescent moieties, using a general formula Y-(L-(A(F)-Pi) n -A(F)-P') m, where Pi comprises 10-30 amino acids, to minimize dye-dye interactions and prevent self-quenching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional fluorescent labels are used, then brightness is improved, but self-quenching occurs due to dye-dye interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidself-quenching
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorescent label is segmented into distinct components: a peptide backbone (Y) and separately positioned fluorescent moieties (F) connected via linkers (L). This segmentation ensures that fluorescent dyes are spatially separated, preventing dye-dye interactions and self-quenching while maintaining high brightness through proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peptide backbone acts as an intermediary structure that connects fluorescent moieties at controlled distances. The linker units (L) serve as mediators between the peptide backbone and fluorescent dyes, ensuring optimal spacing that prevents self-quenching while allowing sufficient fluorescence signal for high-quality imaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If small fluorescent labels are used, then tissue penetration is improved, but brightness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel sizeVSAvoidbrightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the structural parameters of fluorescent labels by using peptide backbones with controlled lengths (10-30 amino acids) and optimizing the number and positioning of fluorescent moieties. This parameter optimization achieves a balance between small size for tissue penetration and sufficient brightness for high-quality imaging through multiple strategically positioned fluorophores.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 probes provide specific staining and enhanced tissue penetration, resulting in higher brightness and faster imaging speeds, particularly in light-sheet and super-resolution microscopy, with reduced self-quenching effects.

Implementation Method 1

Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful technique used to generate high-content imaging datasets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4650775A1Small bright fluorescent labels based on peptidide backbone with high tissue penetration
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 MILTENYI BIOTEC BV & CO KG
  • EP4650775A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650775A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650775A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention is directed to fluorescent probes comprising an antigen recognizing moiety covalently bound by a peptide backbone to at least one fluorescent dye characterized in that the fluorescent probes have the general formula I         Y-(L-(A(F)-Pi)n-A(F)-P')m With Pi: same or different peptide comprising 10 - 30 amino acids, P': a peptide comprising 0 - 50 amino acids F: fluorescent moiety A: an amino acid, L: a linker unit Y: antigen or antigen recognizing moiety m: 1-100