Imaging of intracellular singlet oxygen with bright BODIPY dyes

Singlet oxygen is a cytotoxic reactive species which is involved in the photodynamic therapy of cancer. It is also known to be produced endogenously in most eukaryotic cells and implicated in many biochemical processes, including apoptotic response. We now report that Bodipy based fluorescent dyes with singlet oxygen reactive modules, signal the intracellular generation of singlet oxygen through photosensitization. We believe long wavelength probes of singlet oxygen, based on this approach will be highly valuable.

Automated summary

Singlet oxygen is a cytotoxic reactive species involved in cancer photodynamic therapy. Bodipy-based fluorescent dyes with singlet oxygen reactive modules can signal the intracellular generation of singlet oxygen through photosensitization. Long wavelength probes of singlet oxygen based on this approach are expected to be highly valuable.