Water solvated polymeric dyes and polymeric tandem dyes are provided. The polymeric dyes include a water solvated light harvesting multichromophore having a conjugated segment of aryl or heteroaryl co-monomers linked via covalent bonds, vinylene groups or ethynylene groups. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are labeled specific binding members that include the subject polymeric dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labeling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

A copolymer, poly(thiophene-co-benzothiophene-co-dibenzothiophene), and method of preparation thereof. The copolymer, poly(thiophene-co-benzothiophene-co-dibenzothiophene), having a formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein x=H or R, y=H or R, z=H or R, and n=500-58000, wherein R is selected from alkyl or alicyclic chain substituents, and Ar is an aromatic ring.

Water-soluble, conjugated polymers containing one or more dibenzosilole monomer residues, as well as compositions, kits, and methods of making and using such polymers are disclosed. Also disclosed are dibenzosilole derivatives substituted with one or more water-solubilizing groups, and methods of making and using such derivatives to prepare water-soluble dibenzosilole polymers.

The invention provides for polyfluoreno[4,5-cde]oxepine conjugates and their use in methods of analyte detection.

A high molecular weight compound according to the present invention includes a substituted triarylamine structural unit represented by the following general formula (1), ##STR00001## where AR.sup.1, AR.sup.2, and L each independently represent a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group, n is an integer of 1 to 3, Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 each independently represent an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a heavy hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 5 to 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyloxy group having 5 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, or a heteroaryl group.

The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.

Methods and compositions are provided that include a multichromophore and/or multichromophore complex for identifying a target biomolecule. A sensor biomolecule, for example, an antibody can be covalently linked to the multichromophore. Additionally, a signaling chromophore can be covalently linked to the multichromophore. The arrangement is such that the signaling chromophore is capable of receiving energy from the multichromophore upon excitation of the multichromophore. Since the sensor biomolecule is capable of interacting with the target biomolecule, the multichromophore and/or multichromophore complex can provide enhanced detection signals for a target biomolecule.

The present invention provides water soluble photoactive macromolecular complexes and methods for detecting an analyte in a sample by using a binding agent conjugated to a water soluble photoactive macromolecule.

Water solvated polymeric dyes having a deep ultraviolet excitation spectrum are provided. The subject polymeric dyes include a light harvesting multichromophore having conjugation-modifying repeat units incorporated into the polymer backbone to provide segments of π-conjugated co-monomers having limited π-conjugation between segments. Polymeric tandem dyes are also provided that further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are labelled specific binding members that include the subject water solvated polymeric dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Fluorescent water soluble conjugated polymers including polycyclic aromatic comonomers are provided. The conjugated polymers can be linked to an acceptor fluorescent dye. The conjugated polymers find use in conjugates with biological substrates having applications in a variety of applications including methods of analyte detection.