Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Synthesis of Wavelength-shifting DNA Hybridization Probes by Using Photostable Cyanine Dyes
Published on: July 6, 2016
Cyanines as new fluorescent probes for DNA detection and two-photon excited bioimaging
Xin Jiang Feng1, Po Lam Wu, Frédéric Bolze
1Centre for Advanced Luminescence Materials, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract:
A series of cyanine fluorophores based on fused aromatics as an electron donor for DNA sensing and two-photon bioimaging were synthesized, among which the carbazole-based biscyanine exhibits high sensitivity and efficiency as a fluorescent light-up probe for dsDNA, which shows selective binding toward the AT-rich regions. The synergetic effect of the bischromophoric skeleton gives a several-fold enhancement in a two-photon absorption cross-section as well as a 25- to 100-fold enhancement in two-photon excited fluorescence upon dsDNA binding.
Related Concept Videos
Labeling DNA Probes
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
Reporter Genes
Commonly used reporter...
