Abstract:
Provided is a family of intramolecularly quenched imaging agents for use in both in vivo and in vitro imaging that contain at least one enzymatically cleavable oligopeptide and two fluorophores or a fluorophore and a quencher. When subjected to proteolytic cleavage, at least one fluorophore is unquenched and becomes capable of producing a fluorescent signal upon excitation with light of an appropriate wavelength. Also provided are in vivo and in vitro imaging methods using such imaging agents.
Abstract:
The invention provides a family of fluorescent compounds. The compounds are substituted silaxanthenium compounds that can be chemically linked to one or more biomolecules, such as a protein, nucleic acid, and therapeutic small molecule. The compounds can be used for imaging in a variety of medical, biological and diagnostic applications. The dyes are particularly useful for in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo imaging applications.