The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Ruoyao Zhang

Benzhong Tang

Provided herein are aggregation-induced emission luminogens useful for imaging and/or detecting cancer cells and dynamically monitoring the viability of cancer cells and methods of use and preparation thereof.

Aggregation-induced emission luminogens useful for cancer cell discrimination and monitoring

A fluorescent probe can include a compound exhibiting aggregation-induced emission (AIE). The probe can be used for selectively staining mitochondria and lipid droplets and detecting esterase activity. The probe includes an acetoxyl group which can be recognized by esterase in an esterase activity assay. As enzyme activity can reflect cell viability, the probe can be useful in cell viability detection. In addition, the probe includes a cationic moiety to target mitochondria and a lipophilic moiety that can target lipid droplets. A calculated log P value of the lipophilic moiety can be larger than 5.

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Hong Kong, China

Ruoyao Zhang