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Excitation-Matchable Shortwave Infrared Quinolinium Fluorophores: Decoding Spatiotemporal Interactions with
Yongkang Yao1,2, Jiamei Chen1, Chenxu Yan1,3
1Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
Researchers developed new shortwave infrared (SWIR) dyes using a quinolinium scaffold. These bright, low cross-talk dyes enable multiplexed imaging for advanced biological and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Organic Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging offers a valuable window for multiplexed imaging in mammals.
- Current SWIR imaging is limited by the absence of a tunable molecular scaffold for dyes with high brightness, low cross-talk, and compatible absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel quinolinium-based scaffold for developing a library of SWIR dyes.
- To enable excitation-matchable multiplexed imaging for decoding spatiotemporal interactions.
Main Methods:
- Designed and synthesized a series of SWIR heptamethine cyanine dyes based on a quinolinium scaffold.
- Evaluated dye properties including absorption wavelengths, brightness, and cross-talk.
- Performed multiplexed imaging using orthogonal excitation wavelengths (980 nm and 1064 nm).
Main Results:
- Developed SWIR dyes with absorption maxima from 975 to 1046 nm.
- Identified QC7-NEt2 and QC7-CN as bright dyes with orthogonal excitation, compatible with common lasers.
- Achieved two- and three-channel multiplexed imaging with minimal cross-talk.
- Demonstrated high-resolution visualization of vasculature, lymph, and intestinal systems in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The quinolinium scaffold is effective for generating a versatile SWIR dye library.
- The developed dyes facilitate excitation-matchable multiplexed imaging for studying deep-tissue interactions.
- This strategy advances SWIR dye discovery for basic life science and clinical applications.
