Loaded latex optical molecular imaging probes containing lipophilic large stokes shift dyes

A nanolatex particle comprising a latex material made from a mixture represented by formula:

• (X)m-(Y)n-(Z)o-(W)p
• wherein Y is at least one monomer with at least two ethylenically unsaturated chemical functionalities;
• Z is at least one polyethylene glycol macromonomer with an average molecular weight of between 300 and 10,000;
• W is an ethylenic monomer different from X, Y, or Z;
• and X is at least one water insoluble, alkoxethyl containing monomer represented by formula:
• wherein R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of methyl and hydrogen, and R2 is a radical selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and an aryl group;
• and m, n, o, and p are weight percent ranges of each component monomer, wherein m ranges between 40-90 percent by weight, n ranges between 1-10 percent by weight, o ranges between 20-60 percent by weight, and p is up to 10 percent by weight;
• and wherein said particle is loaded with a fluorescent dye compound.