Polyoxyhydrocarbyl related products and methods for fluorescence assays

Abstract

Fluorescent dyes which are free of aggregation and serum binding are provided. These dyes are suitable for applications such as fluorescence immunoassays, in vivo imaging and in vivo tumor therapy. Fluorescence immunoassays methods are provided which use fluorescent dyes which are free of aggregation and serum binding. Such immunoassay methods are thus, particularly useful for the assay of biological fluids, such as serum, plasma, whole blood and urine. The present invention is directed to compositions comprising an oligonucleotide linked to a detectably labeled marker component comprising a fluorophore moiety which comprises a substantially planar, multidentate macrocyclic ligand coordinated to a central atom capable of coordinating with two axial ligands and two polyoxyhydrocarbyl moieties which are attached as axial ligands to the central atom. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acid hybridization and amplification methods employing such compositions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.