A general method to fine-tune fluorophores for live-cell and in vivo imaging

The paper developed a general method to finely tune the spectral and chemical properties of rhodamine dyes by incorporating 3-substituted azetidine groups. Adding electron-withdrawing substituents on the azetidine ring causes hypsochromic shifts in the absorption and emission maxima, allowing tuning across the visible spectrum. The substituents also modulate the equilibrium between the non-fluorescent lactone and fluorescent zwitterionic forms, enabling rational design of fluorogenic dyes. Using this method they synthesized a series of tuned rhodamines called Janelia Fluor dyes spanning blue to far-red wavelengths. The Janelia Fluor dyes were converted to fluorescent labels for live cell and tissue imaging, demonstrating their brightness, photostability and cell permeability. In particular, <a href="https://medium.com/@axialxyz/a-general-method-to-fine-tune-fluorophores-for-live-cell-and-in-vivo-imaging-4fbadfce013c">Read More</a>