Water-Soluble Polymeric Dyes for Aggregation-Resistant Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescent dyes face challenges in achieving high solubility in water and are prone to aggregation, which affects their fluorescence and spectroscopic properties, limiting their effectiveness in biological assays.
Innovation Solution
Development of water-soluble polymeric dyes with branched non-ionic water-soluble groups and a signaling chromophore covalently linked to a light harvesting multichromophore, enhancing solubility and resistance to aggregation, thereby improving fluorescence and spectroscopic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluorescent dyes are used, then fluorescence function is provided, but water solubility is poor and aggregation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by conjugating a water-soluble polymer (such as polyethylene glycol or polyvinyl alcohol) with a fluorescent dye molecule. This composite material combines the fluorescence properties of the dye with the water solubility and aggregation-resistance properties of the polymer, resolving the contradiction between providing fluorescence function and achieving water solubility without aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary between the fluorescent dye and the aqueous environment. The polymer chain serves as a mediator that provides hydrophilic interactions with water while simultaneously separating multiple dye molecules to prevent aggregation, thus enabling the dye to function in water-based biological assays.
2Illumination intensity
If dye concentration is increased to improve signal intensity, then fluorescence signal brightness increases, but aggregation occurs which degrades fluorescence properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dye molecules apart from each other by attaching them to individual polymer chains. Each polymer chain acts as a separate carrier for the fluorescent dye, physically separating multiple dye molecules and preventing their aggregation even at high concentrations. This segmentation allows high fluorescence signal brightness without the degradation caused by aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymer forms a flexible hydrophilic shell or solvation layer around the fluorescent dye molecule. This protective shell prevents direct contact and aggregation between multiple dye molecules, allowing the system to achieve high fluorescence intensity through increased dye loading while maintaining fluorescence stability and preventing aggregation-related degradation.
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 water-soluble polymeric dyes exhibit enhanced solubility and resistance to aggregation, providing brighter fluorescence signals suitable for applications like flow cytometry and imaging, with improved excitation and emission wavelength options.
Implementation Method 1
branched non-ionic water soluble groups (WSG) comprising two or more water soluble polymers... capable of imparting solubility in water in excess of 50 mg/mL
Implementation Method 2
Fluorescent dyes are compounds which, when irradiated with light of a wavelength which they absorb, emit light of a (usually) different wavelength
Implementation Method 3
a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith
Data Source
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AI summary
Water soluble polymeric dyes and polymeric tandem dyes are provided. The polymeric dyes include a water solvated light harvesting multichromophore having a conjugated segment of aryl or heteroaryl co-monomers including branched non-ionic water soluble groups (WSG) comprising two or more water soluble polymers. In some cases, the branched non-ionic water soluble groups (WSG) of the present disclosure are capable of imparting solubility in water in excess of 50 mg/mL to the multichromophore. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are aggregation-resistant labelled specific binding members that include the subject water soluble polymeric dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.