Edinburgh: Fluorescein-based dyes for measuring intracellular parameters

Licensing opportunity

Researchers at Edinburgh University have created a new family of fluorescein-based dyes that are in the visible range and can be used to measure intracellular pH, viscosity and temperature.

This new family of fluorescein analogues have improved stability and the ability to measure multiple intracellular properties. For example, anthofluorescein has a highly sensitive absorption and fluorescence emission particularly in the pH range from 7 to 10. This dye has the necessary sensitivity required for optical measurements of intracellular pH inside living cells.

A mitochondrial tag derivative has confirmed that the dyes can be used to successfully label intracellular organelles of choice. The compound family could be extended to cover the entire spectrum of visible range dyes from yellow to far-red. and to allow rapid labelling of biomolecules, including, proteins and DNA.

Edinburgh University is looking to license the fluorophores. As part of a licence three different compounds are available, including a mitochondrial tag and a pH sensor.

For more information, visit the project’s page at: http://www.university-technology.com/details/a-new-family-of-intracellular-imaging-display-dyes