BIOSENSING PROBES BASED ON FLUOROGENS WITH AGGREGATION-INDUCED EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Development of advanced strategies or materials for biosensing has great implications on biomedical research and clinical diagnosis. In view of the challenges faced with the current technology in improving the sensitivity, selectivity and cost-effectiveness, this thesis focuses on development of light-up probes using a novel class of fluorogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for biosensing and imaging applications. These probes are virtually non-fluorescent in aqueous media due to good water solubility and can be induced to emit strongly upon interaction with target analytes. The thesis demonstrates several light-up probes for sensing of proteins, study of enzyme kinetics as well as nuclear-targeted imaging. Paper-based detection, the simplest format ever, was attempted by using AIE probe as a fluorescent stain. As compared with conventional fluorophores, AIE probes exhibit excellent signal-to-background ratio with good biocompatibility. With further optimization, these materials are promising for constructing biosensing platforms with much better adaptability and versatility.