The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Qian Luo

Ka Ming Ng

Benzhong Tang

Wing Yip Lam

Yuning Hong

Sijie Chen

Yong Yu

Jianzhao Liu

Tsz Kin Kwok

Wei Qin

Donald Choy Chang

Zhengke Wang

Jingnan Zhang

Benny Harjo

Provided herein are fluorescent bioprobes comprising fluorogens that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) labeled on biomolecules. The present subject matter relates to a fluorescent bioprobe comprising one or more fluorogen labeled on chitosan. The present subject matter is also directed to methods of preparing the fluorescent bioprobes, methods of labeling and detecting DNA and/or proteins with the fluorescent bioprobe, and methods of cell imaging including live cell tracking.

Aggregation induced emission of fluorescent bioprobes and methods of using the same

Fluorescent bioprobes comprising luminogen formed nanoparticles comprising luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, which can be used for long-term cell tracking. The luminogens are nonemissive in organic solution but become highly emissive when aggregated in aqueous solution. The fluorescent molecules can readily pass through cell membranes, stain only the cell cytoplasm, and form highly emissive nanoaggregates in aqueous media without any obvious cytoxicity in the living cells. Furthermore, the molecules can be retained inside the cells without noticeable leakage to the outside. Therefore, these AIE-based compounds can be used as selective and cell-compatible fluroescent bioprobes for long-term live cell tracking and imaging.

Aggregation induced emission active cytophilic fluorescent bioprobes for long-term cell tracking

This invention relates to a novel soy isoflavone product with high purities and strong biological activities and the method of producing the same from natural soybeans, soybean materials (i.e. tofu dregs, soy molasses) and other plant sources. The method includes three steps consisting of extraction with an organic solvent, hydrolysis using an acid and crystallization using an antisolvent. The procedure is very simple and thus can be easily adapted for large-scale manufacturing. Moreover, the procedure is able to produce a high yield of total isoflavones at a lower cost. HPLC analysis and E-Screen bioassay reveal that the obtained product not only contains a high content of isoflavone aglycones by weight of dry matter but also exhibits strong estrogenic activity toward human cells. Therefore, the product should be efficacious for relieving menopausal symptoms and other estrogen-deficient diseases and can be used in health care supplements or as additives for foods, beverages or cosmetics.

Health care product containing isoflavone aglycones and method of producing the same

The present invention concerns fluorescent proteins modified such that said modified fluorescent protein incorporates a cleavage site for a protease, cleavage of said modified fluorescent protein at said cleavage site by said protease causing the alteration of at least one of the emission and excitation spectra of said modified fluorescent protein. In particular, the invention is concerned with using these modified fluorescent proteins as probes for detecting protease activity in living cells during the programmed cell death process (apoptosis). Also provided are nucleic acid sequence encoding same, recombinant DNA constructs expressing same, cells transformed or transfected with same, methods for detecting protease activity, and methods of detecting agents which affect protease activity, and kits for same.

Modified fluorescent proteins for detecting protease activity

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Hong Kong, China

Qian Luo