Methods and compositions for altering photophysical properties of fluorophores via proximal quenching
AssigneeCornell University
InventorsScott Blanchard, Roger Altman, J. David Warren
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Abstract
The invention is directed to fluorophore-containing compositions and configurations wherein proximity between the fluorophore and one or more protective agents (PAs) modifies the lifetime of fluorescent and/or dark states, their frequency of occurrence, and the total lifetime of fluorescence in order to appropriately modify the photophysical characteristics of the fluorophore. The invention is also directed to methods that utilize these compositions and configurations.
Claims7
A composition comprising a fluorophore having attached thereto at least one protective agent moiety selected from cyclooctatetraene (COT), Trolox, p-nitrobenzyl alcohol (NBA), chloramphenicol, n-propyl gallate, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), wherein the at least one protective agent moiety is attached covalently to the fluorophore either directly or via a linker.
A method for performing single-molecule Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), the method comprising measuring the FRET efficiency of a labeled biomolecule comprised of a biomolecule attached to a donor fluorophore and acceptor fluorophore, wherein said donor and/or acceptor fluorophores are attached covalently either directly or via a linker to one or more protective agent moieties selected from cyclooctatetraene (COT), Trolox, p-nitrobenzyl alcohol (NBA), chloramphenicol, n-propyl gallate, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO).
A method for detecting a cellular process in an organism using fluorescence, the method comprising (i) administering to said organism a targeting probe comprising a biomolecule possessing a targeting portion thereon, at least one fluorophore, and at least one protective agent moiety selected from cyclooctatetraene (COT), Trolox, p-nitrobenzyl alcohol (NBA), chloramphenicol, n-propyl gallate, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), wherein said protective agent moiety is attached covalently either directly or via a linker to said fluorophore such that the protective agent moiety enhances the photophysical properties of said fluorophore, and ii) detecting said targeting probe using fluorescence in said organism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.