New tools derived from the solvatochromic 4-N,N-dimethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore for the detection of biomolecular interactions

The concept that complex cellular behavior is driven by an intricate network of biomolecular interactions, which emerged through billions of years of evolution, is one of the great wonders of nature. Living cells must constantly assimilate vital information from the surrounding environment and respond appropriately. Such responses include growth, proliferation, migration, and even death. Much of this activity is tightly regulated through elaborately integrated signal transduction pathways - sometimes involving hundreds of cellular components. In order to further our understanding of the basic molecular machinery responsible for coordinating life processes at the cellular level, new tools are required. Fluorescence methods have formed a cornerstone of modern cell biology and have allowed researchers to interrogate the dynamics of many biomolecular events in real-time. However, the criteria for a good fluorescent probe are often numerous and demanding, particularly when considering applications in complex chemical environments like that of a living cell. Tradeoffs often exist between variables such as good extinction coefficients, suitable wavelengths of excitation and emission, thermal and photochemical stability, size, and others. Here in, we report a new series of fluorescent tools based on the solvatochromic 4-N,Ndimethylamino- 1,8-naphthalimide (4-DMN) fluorophore for the study of biomolecular interactions. This fluorophore is distinctive in that it yields very few compromises by combining many of the key elements required of a good fluorescent tool.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Loving, Galen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Barbara Imperiali.

• Chemistry.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/55092

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/55092