The instant invention provides near-infrared fluorescent biological contrast agents and methods of using them.

A luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) device is provided. The LSC device has an active layer including a modified luminophore having a polymethine component including a plurality of methine groups (═CH—).sub.n, where n is an odd integer greater than 1. A hydrogen atom (H) of one of the plurality of methine groups is replaced by one of -AR.sub.1R.sub.2 or -DR.sub.3, where A is selected from nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) and D is selected from oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te), R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from H, aliphatic groups, and aromatic groups bound to A through a carbon atom, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together form an alicyclic ring containing A, and R.sub.3 is selected from H, aliphatic groups, aromatic groups, and alicyclic groups bound to D through a carbon atom.

Luminescent reporter compounds that are rotaxanes having the structure ##STR00001##
where B—Z—C is a reporter molecule based on a squaraine type molecule, or similar reporter, and K is a macrocycle that encircles and interlocks with the reporter molecule. Applications of the reporter compounds are provided, as well as reactive intermediates used to synthesize the reporter compounds, and methods of synthesizing the reporter compounds.

Cyanine fluorophores including a nine-carbon polymethine bridge are disclosed. The cyanine fluorophores have absorbance and/or emission maxima in the near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength ranges. Methods of making and using the cyanine fluorophores are also disclosed. The compounds are useful in fluorescence imaging, more particularly in cancer treatment. The compounds have generic formula (I):

##STR00001##

Compositions and methods for visualizing tissue under illumination with fusion compounds of near-infrared radiation using near IR, closed chain, sulfo-cyanine dyes and prostate specific membrane antigen ligands are provided.

The present invention provides compositions relating to nanoparticles, such as nanocapsules, that selectively target cells associated with diseases or disorders (e.g., cancer cells). The present invention further relates to methods relating to the said nanoparticles for imaging, detection, and treatment of diseases or disorders in a subject. The present invention additionally provides kits that find use in the practice of the methods of the invention.

A composition includes two or more near infrared absorbing compounds having an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of 650 to 1000 nm and having a solubility of 0.1 mass % or lower in water at 23° C., in which the two or more near infrared absorbing compounds include a first near infrared absorbing compound having an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of 650 to 1000 nm, and a second near infrared absorbing compound having an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of 650 to 1000 nm which is shorter than the absorption maximum of the first near infrared absorbing compound, and a difference between the absorption maximum of the first near infrared absorbing compound and the absorption maximum of the second near infrared absorbing compound is 1 to 150 nm.

Glucose-sensing luminescent dyes, polymers, and sensors are provided. Additionally, systems including the sensors and methods of using these sensors and systems are provided.

A near infrared (NIR) laser processable resin based article comprising a specific optothermal converting. The specific optothermal converting has an improved thermal stability and therefore renders the preparation of the resin based article more reliable.

Disclosed is a pentamethine cyanine dye of formula (I) and a method of producing the same, where the dye is suitable as a fluorescent material for the STORM and SOFI super-resolution imaging.