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Published on: January 21, 2013
Single-visible-light-modulated photoswitches with aggregation-induced emission for super-resolution imaging
Xiaowei Fang1,2, Pengwei Jin1,2, Fanghui Li1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China whzhu@ecust.edu.cn limengqi@ecust.edu.cn.
Researchers developed novel fluorescent photoswitches for super-resolution imaging. These switches use visible light for precise control, enabling high-resolution imaging of nano-micelles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optical Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Super-resolution fluorescence imaging (SRI) pushes beyond optical limits for nanoscale visualization.
- Developing visible-light-responsive photoswitching systems with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) for solid-state applications remains challenging.
- Precise photo-modulation of molecular fluorescence is crucial for advanced imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel fluorescent photoswitches with single-visible-light modulation capabilities.
- To achieve aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties in photoswitchable molecules for enhanced fluorescence.
- To enable high-resolution imaging using Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) with visible-light-responsive materials.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of sulfone units into sterically hindered diarylethene structures to create fluorescent photoswitches.
- Tuning substituent effects to achieve band-tail absorption and single-visible-light stimulation (488 or 561 nm).
- Utilizing the restriction of intramolecular vibration (RIV) process and weak π-π stacking for AIE properties.
Main Results:
- Developed fluorescent photoswitches with superior single-visible-light stimulation and resistance to short-wavelength light damage.
- Achieved aggregation-induced emission (AIE) with high fluorescence quantum yield and on-off ratio (>100) in the aggregated state.
- Successfully performed high-resolution STORM imaging of nano-micelles using a single 561 nm laser.
Conclusions:
- The novel fluorescent photoswitches offer a robust platform for remote and non-invasive fluorescence modulation.
- This advancement significantly contributes to the field of super-resolution fluorescence imaging (SRI).
- The developed materials are suitable for solid-state applications and advanced nanoscale imaging.
