Superresolution imaging with switchable fluorophores based on oxazine auxochromes

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biophysical Chemistry
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Diffraction limits conventional fluorescence microscopy to ~200 nm resolution, hindering intracellular process visualization.
• Super-resolution microscopy techniques overcome this by temporally discriminating sub-resolution objects.
• These methods rely on switching fluorophore signals between on and off states at the single-molecule level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present novel molecular assemblies for fluorescence modulation.
• To achieve super-resolution imaging by overcoming the diffraction limit.
• To explore new switching mechanisms for fluorescence probes.

Main Methods:

• Design of molecular assemblies incorporating a [1,3]oxazine core for fluorescence switching.
• Utilizing photochromic and halochromic properties of the oxazine for triggering.
• Inducing bathochromic shifts in pendant fluorophores for signal modulation.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated fluorescence modulation via photochromic and halochromic switching of [1,3]oxazine assemblies.
• Achieved significant absorption and emission spectral shifts for fluorescence control.
• Discussed the application of these strategies for super-resolution microscopy.

Conclusions:

• Novel molecular assemblies with [1,3]oxazine building blocks enable effective fluorescence switching.
• Photochromic and halochromic triggers provide versatile mechanisms for fluorescence modulation.
• These approaches hold promise for advancing super-resolution fluorescence microscopy beyond the diffraction limit.