Fast uptake, water-soluble, mitochondria-specific erbium complex for a dual function molecular probe - imaging and photodynamic therapy

A water-soluble, mitochondria-permeable erbium(III) complex has been designed as a responsive bi-functional probe. This may be used to induce the mild formation of singlet oxygen (Phi(Delta) = 0.10) and causes local damage in cellulo when exposed to UV and near-infrared laser excitation.