Photochromic and Spontaneously Blinking Janelia Fluor Dyes

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Photochromic and Spontaneously Blinking Janelia Fluor Dyes

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Photochromic Janelia Fluor

Overview

A versatile platform enabling the rational design of super-resolution imaging dyes by amide-coupling rhodamines to coumarin auxiliaries. Depending on the rhodamine’s lactone–zwitterion equilibrium (K_L–Z), the dyes become either photochromic (405 nm-activatable) or spontaneously blinking at physiological conditions.

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 PALM, SMLM, SOFI, and related single-molecule imaging modalities.

Spotlight Dyes

GB646: Si-rhodamine–coumarin dye activated by violet light (405 nm) for photochromic super-resolution imaging.
GB549: JF549–coumarin dye that spontaneously blinks, eliminating the need for external switching buffers.

Applications

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM)
Super-resolution imaging in live and fixed cells
High-density molecular mapping
Multicolor blinking microscopy

Design Framework: The lactone–zwitterion equilibrium constant (K_L–Z) governs fluorophore switching properties, enabling rapid development of new fluorescent labels tailored to user needs.

IP Coverage: US Patent 11,067,566

Opportunity: Available for non-exclusive commercial licensing.

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Publications

Coumarin as a general switching auxiliary to prepare photochromic and spontaneously blinking fluorophores

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Photochromic and Spontaneously Blinking Janelia Fluor Dyes