title: Highly sensitive amyloid detection enabled by thioflavin T dimers.
abstract: Fluorescent molecules that specifically target amyloid structures are highly desirable for amyloid research. Herein, we show a dimeric design of thioflavin T improves its binding affinity to Abeta amyloid by up to 70 fold, while not sacrificing the specificity and the "light-up" feature upon amyloid binding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3801, USA.
authors.forename: Luoheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vastl
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000682:Amyloid / Q000032:analysis*; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D019281:Dimerization; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D013844:Thiazoles; C009462:thioflavin T