- High sensitive imaging with high fluorescence intensity and uniform staining
- High photostability with excellent durability
Product DescriptionNIR fluorescent colorants and the technology to control their absorption and fluorescence wavelength, and technology to introduce cell interaction with functional groups
With the rapid progress of regenerative medicine in recent years, many new observation systems are being developed in cell observation technology, such as high-sensitivity imaging to explore microscopic spaces and long-term dynamic observation of cells and proteins using near-infrared (NIR) light.
The colorants used in these new observation systems are required to have novel functions such as clearer staining, long-term fluorescence, in vivo stability and resistance to high laser power in addition to optical properties such as light absorption and fluorescence.
The newly developed colorant exhibits high fluorescence intensity, uniform staining of cytoplasm and excellent photostability. This results in finer observation of biological tissues such as cells, making it possible to use the colorant in the high-content analysis of drug screening and long-term observation by super-resolution microscopes using high laser power.
Product Features
*1 HeLa cells are stained by NIR fluorescent colorants.
*2 NIR light cannot be recognized by the human eye, so it is visualized in green.
Applications
Example 1: Cell staining (multiple staining)
More advanced multiple staining is possible since the fluorescence is in the NIR region, which differs in wavelengths from visible fluorescent materials.
Multiple staining of HeLa cells (observation by fluorescence microscope)
※For viewer’s convenience, the image colors are shown visually by the wavelength of fluorescence emitted by each color material, green, blue, and red, respectively.
Example 2: Deep tissue imaging
The newly developed colorant has high fluorescence intensity in the wavelength region with high biopermeability, thus enabling deep tissue imaging. This feature also makes it possible to observe capillaries, lymphatic vessels and cancer tumors.
In vivo NIR fluorescence imaging (Ex720nm, Em795nm) *3
*3 Ex represents the excitation wavelength. Em represents the fluorescence detection wavelength.
Other Applications
NIR fluorescent colorants by the Toyo Ink Group can be applied in gene amplification, cell surface analysis, identification of specifically expressed proteins, quantitative markers, immunohistochemical markers for pathological examinations, and fluorescent particles for in vitro diagnostics.
Technology OverviewNIR fluorescent colorants and the technology to control their absorption and fluorescence wavelength, and technology to introduce cell interaction with functional groups
The main light-absorbing substances in vivo are water (＞2000nm) and hemoglobin in the blood (＜700nm). Thus, NIR light with wavelengths between 700nm and 2000nm can penetrate deeply into biological tissues without being absorbed by these substances.
Our new NIR fluorescent colorants were engineered by combining Toyo Ink Group’s absorption and fluorescence wavelength control technology for colorants, which we have cultivated in the display and electronics fields, with our unique technology for introducing cell-interacting functional groups. In doing so, we successfully developed the colorants with the characteristics suitable for new observation systems, such as clearer staining, long-term fluorescence, in vivo stability and photostability.
We aim to apply the new colorants to a wide range of fields, such as regenerative medicine, screening of biopharmaceuticals, and in vitro diagnostic systems.
NIR Region with High Biopermeability
Prepared by translating 文部科学省 科学技術・学術審議会・資源調査分科会報告
Absorption and Fluorescence Wavelength Control Technology for Colorants
To develop absorption and fluorescence properties in the NIR region, we have specially designed a colorant that reduces the energy difference between the bonding orbital (HOMO: Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital) and antibonding orbital (LUMO: Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital)
To reduce the energy difference between the two orbitals, for example, we can introduce electron-donating groups into the colorant to raise the HOMO energy level.
Cell-interaction Functional Group Introduction Technology
By combining our colorant design technology, which we have cultivated in various fields, with chemical structures that strongly interact with biomaterials, we successfully developed new NIR fluorescent colorants for cell staining that combines high fluorescence intensity, uniform staining and excellent photostability.
