Dyes with a Universal Coumarin Switch for Super-Resolution Microscopy

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Dyes with a Universal Coumarin Switch for Super-Resolution Microscopy

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Photochromic Janelia Fluor

Overview

A versatile platform enabling the construction of dyes for super-resolution imaging by coupling a coumarin auxiliary to rhodamine dyes. Dyes can be tuned to be either photochromic, with 405 nm activation, or spontaneously blinking at physiological conditions, yielding a palette of dyes in different colors.

Key Advantages

Universal Switching Strategy: One chemical modification generates two classes of functional dyes for imaging.
Predictable Behavior: Dye blinking or photoactivation outcomes based on parent dye K_L–Z values.
Live-Cell and Fixed-Cell Compatibility: Works under normal biological conditions without specialized buffers.
Super-Resolution Ready: Optimized for SMLM, SOFI, and related single-molecule imaging modalities.

Spotlight Dyes

GB₆₄₆: Hybrid JF₆₄₆–coumarin photochromic dye activated by 405 nm for super-resolution imaging.
GB₅₄₉: JF₅₄₉–coumarin fluorophore that spontaneously blinks when conjugated to the HaloTag, eliminating the need for switching buffers.
GB₅₉₄: Alexa Fluor–coumarin dye that spontaneously blinks, allowing super-resolution imaging with antibody conjugates.