The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Yuning Hong

Benzhong Tang

Sijie Chen

Wai Tung Leung

Zhen Li

Wing Yip Lam

Ka Ming Ng

Matthias Haeussler

Jianzhao Liu

Yong Yu

Qian Luo

Hui Tong

Yongqiang Dong

Changmin Xing

Tsz Kin Kwok

Wei Qin

Engui Zhao

Haiqin Deng

Ryan Tsz Kin Kwok

Zhengke Wang

Tsz Kin Ryan Kwok

The present subject matter relates to a one-step method of detecting and quantifying cardiolipin in a sample using a positively charged AIE luminogen by introducing the AIE luminogen to a solution containing the sample and measuring fluorescence intensity of the solution; a method of quantifying isolated mitochondria using a positively charged AIE luminogen by staining a sample containing isolated mitochondria with the AIE luminogen and measuring the fluorescence intensity; and a method of quantifying isolated mitochondria using a positively charged AIE luminogen by introducing the AIE luminogen to a sample containing isolated mitochondria, wherein the AIE luminogen stains the isolated mitochondria and identifying the stained isolated mitochondria under microscope. With improved sensitivity and excellent selectivity to CL over other major mitochondrial membrane lipids, an aggregation-induced emission-active fluorogen, TTAPE-Me, may serve as a valuable fluorescent sensor for CL detection and quantification and the quantification of isolated mitochondria.

Specific detection and quantification of cardiolipin and isolated mitochondria by positively charged AIE fluorogens and method of manufacturing thereof

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

AIE (aggregation-induced emission)-active TPE derivatives, TPE-TPP, TPE-MitoR and TPE-IQ are contemplated. These specific TPE derivatives are useful as fluorescent agents for mitochondrial imaging and as apoptosis inducers. Possessing high specificity to mitochondria, superior photostability and appreciable tolerance to microenvironment change, TPE derivatives are well-suited imaging agents for mitochondrial targeting and morphological change tracking. Because of their synthetic flexibility, TPE derivatives can be further modified as dual-functional probes for an array of applications such as sensing of ROS, metal ions, or pH change in mitochondria.

Photostable AIE luminogens for specific mitochondrial imaging and its method of manufacturing thereof

Compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE), and more particularly to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission. The conjugated polyene compounds can be used as bioprobes for DNA detection, G-quadruplex identification, and potassium-ion sensing. The polyenes also can be utilized as an external fluorescent marker to study conformational structures, to monitor folding processes of label-free oligonucleotides with G-rich strand sequences, and to visualize DNA bands in PAGE assay. The polyenes have applications in high-throughput anticancer drug screening and are useful for the development of efficient anti-cancer drugs. Furthermore, the present subject matter can also be used to monitor fibrillation of amyloid proteins and to facilitate the storage and delivery thereof.

Water-soluble AIE luminogens for monitoring and retardation of fibrillation of amyloid proteins

Pyridine-containing polyenes and their applications as metal ion sensors. These polyenes are practically nonluminescent in the solution state but become highly emissive as nanoparticle suspensions in aqueous solutions or thin films in the solid state, due to aggregation-induced emission (AIE). The nanoaggregates of these compounds can work as 'turn-off' fluorescent chemosensors for metal ions and display different fluorescence responses to various metal ions. For example, a characteristic red shift in the emission spectra is observed with a terpyridine-containing luminogen in the presence of Zn. However, the terpyridine-containing luminogen displays a magenta color upon selectively binding with Fe. This allows easy identification of both Znand Feions in aqueous media. The function of the polyenes can be easily tuned by altering the substituent groups. Due to their AIE properties, these polyenes can be used in aqueous solutions and in solid substrates for metal sensing.

Aggregation-induced emission luminogens for metal ion detection

The presently described subject matter is directed to a water-soluble conjugated polyene compound and the derivatives thereof that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as any water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles, nanoparticles, and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compound and/or the derivatives thereof. Also provided are methods of making and using the compound, derivatives and particles of the presently described subject matter. The presently described water-soluble conjugated polyene compound are useful as bioprobes for the detection of biomacromolecules, in the manufacture of sensors, in monitoring and retarding formation of amyloid protein fibril in vitro and in vivo, and in developing anti-cancer drugs.

Water-soluble AIE luminogen for monitoring and retardation of amyloid fibrillation of insulin

The presently described subject matter is directed to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as to water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles and/or nanoparticles comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the compounds and particles. The described conjugated polyene compounds are useful as bioprobes for the detection biomacromolecules, as well as in the manufacture of sensors.

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Hong Kong, China

Yuning Hong