The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

National University of Singapore

Dan Ding

Benzhong Tang

Bin Liu

Haibin Shi

Yue Li

Wing Yip Lam

Sijie Chen

Anjun Qin

Tsz Kin Kwok

Jianzhao Liu

Wei Qin

Ji Qi

Kai Li

Jingzhi Sun

Jun Long Geng

Qiuli Zhao

Na Zhao

A theranostic agent can be used in both photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. The theranostic agent can include a small molecule, organic compound with absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) interrogation window (700-900 nm). The compound can be a biocompatible organic nanoparticle (ONP). The theranostic agent can be effectively used in PAI and PAI-guided PTT applications. The theranostic agent can be administered to a patient to locate a tumor site in the patient using in vivo imaging techniques. Once the tumor site has been determined, the tumor site can be irradiated with near-infrared light to stop or inhibit the growth of the tumor. An exemplary theranostic agent is provided below 

Theranostic agents

The development of fluorescent bioprobes comprising organic fluorescent compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE) properties, methods of producing the same, and their practical applications for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging.

Biocompatible nanoparticles with aggregation induced emission characteristics as fluorescent bioprobes and methods of using the same for in vitro and in vivo imaging

The development of a series of fluorescent materials including heterocycle-functionalized luminogens with aggregation-induced/enhanced emission (AIE/AEE), long wavelength emission, and high solid state fluorescence quantum efficiency is contemplated. The described fluorescent materials are promising candidates in selective luminescence-based chemosensor for Hgor ATP, fluorescent staining for mitochondria in living cells with high photostability, stimuli-responsive luminescent materials, and materials for optical waveguides. In addition, these heterocycle-functionalized luminogens are particularly useful as fluorescent labels for biopolymers such as peptides, antibodies, or nucleic acids, making them useful as AIE-active biocompatible probes for clinical cancer imaging and diagnostics.

Heterocycle-functionalized luminogens exhibiting aggregation-induced emission

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Dan Ding