Design and Characterization of Dual-Modal Fluorinated BODIPY Probes

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Multimodal imaging enhances detection of molecular and pathophysiological changes.
• Combining complementary readouts in a single probe offers improved diagnostic capabilities.
• Development of novel imaging agents is crucial for advancing bioimaging techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel fluorinated BODIPY dye (F54-BODIPY) as a dual fluorescence and 19F-MRI imaging agent.
• To design a probe with extended far-red fluorescence emission and multiple 19F nuclei for enhanced signal.
• To create a bimodal nanosystem for combined fluorescence and 19F-MRI bioimaging.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and structural characterization of F54-BODIPY using NMR spectroscopy.
• Evaluation of photophysical properties including UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and quantum yield.
• Encapsulation of F54-BODIPY and perfluoro-15-crown-5 ether (PFCE) into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles.

Main Results:

• F54-BODIPY was successfully synthesized, featuring 54 magnetically equivalent 19F nuclei and far-red fluorescence emission.
• Encapsulation in PLGA NPs created a bimodal nanosystem with dual 19F-NMR signals.
• Co-encapsulation with PFCE modified fluorescence and introduced a second 19F-NMR signal.

Conclusions:

• The developed F54-BODIPY probe serves as an effective dual fluorescence/19F-MRI imaging agent.
• The bimodal nanosystem offers potential for advanced bioimaging applications by combining optical and MRI modalities.
• This approach provides a versatile platform for multimodal bioimaging.