title: Excimers beyond pyrene: a far-red optical proximity reporter and its application to the label-free detection of DNA.
abstract: A family of organic chromophores that, like pyrene, forms emissive excimers is reported. Their chemical and photophysical properties are superior to pyrene for the design of chemo- and biosensors. Unlike hydrophobic pyrene, which requires excitation by cell-damaging UV irradiation, these polar dyes absorb strongly in the visible range, and their excimers emit brightly in the red to far-red region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The intensity of the emission signal is greatly increased upon formation of a preassociated dimer that is triggered upon aggregation or crystallization. In demonstration of the potential of this new family of excimer-forming dyes, a probe that is capable of detecting label-free DNA in water down to 10 pM and also doubles as a visualization agent for DNA in gel electrophoresis is reported.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Dankook University, 126 Jukjeon-dong, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 448-701 (Korea).
authors: Garam
authors: G
authors: Han
authors: Dongwook
authors: D
authors: Kim
authors: Younbong
authors: Y
authors: Park
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Bouffard
authors: Youngmi
authors: Y
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D019281:Dimerization; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011721:Pyrenes; D012997:Solvents; D013267:Stilbenes; D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA detection; aggregation; chromophores; excimers; fluorescence