title: Cyanines as new fluorescent probes for DNA detection and two-photon excited bioimaging.
abstract: A series of cyanine fluorophores based on fused aromatics as an electron donor for DNA sensing and two-photon bioimaging were synthesized, among which the carbazole-based biscyanine exhibits high sensitivity and efficiency as a fluorescent light-up probe for dsDNA, which shows selective binding toward the AT-rich regions. The synergetic effect of the bischromophoric skeleton gives a several-fold enhancement in a two-photon absorption cross-section as well as a 25- to 100-fold enhancement in two-photon excited fluorescence upon dsDNA binding.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Luminescence Materials, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Xin Jiang
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Po Lam
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bolze
authors.forename: Heidi W C
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: King Fai
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Nai Ki
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Daniel W J
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nicoud
authors.forename: Kok Wai
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Cheah
authors.forename: Man Shing
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / Q000379:methods*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D017785:Photons
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009570:Nitriles; D004247:DNA; C427203:calf thymus DNA