Bright ideas for chemical biology.
Small-molecule fluorescent probes embody an essential facet of chemical biology. Although numerous compounds are known, the ensemble of fluorescent probes is based on a modest collection of modular "core" dyes. The elaboration of these dyes with diverse chemical moieties is enabling the precise interrogation of biochemical and biological systems. The importance of fluorescence-based technologies in chemical biology elicits a necessity to understand the major classes of small-molecule fluorophores. Here, we examine the chemical and photophysical properties of oft-used fluorophores and highlight classic and contemporary examples in which utility has been built upon these scaffolds.
Lavis
Luke D
LD
Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin--Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Raines
Ronald T
RT
D000818:Animals; D001695:Biology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D010777:Photochemistry
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes