The present invention relates to a novel organic compound, a near-infrared fluorescent constant medium containing the same, and a method for nano-granulating the constant medium.

A laser markable article includes a first laser markable layer capable of forming a colour upon exposure to UV radiation, a second and optionally a third laser markable layer capable of forming a colour upon exposure to IR radiation, wherein the second or third laser markable layer includes a specific polymethine infrared radiation absorbing dye (IR dye). A colour laser marking method includes forming a first colour upon exposure to UV radiation and a second and optionally a third colour upon exposure to IR radiation.

The present invention relates to a complex comprising at least one dendrimer and at least one lanthanide, wherein the dendrimer comprises a unit of formula (I) below:

##STR00001##

in which: C.sub.1 is a valence group 4 of formula >NCH.sub.2CH.sub.2N<; A.sub.1, A.sub.2 and A.sub.3 are groups of formula (CH.sub.2).sub.2C(O)NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2; the unit of formula (I) being connected covalently to at least one antenna which absorbs at a wavelength ranging from 500 nm to 900 nm.

The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.

The invention provides agents that target carbonic anhydrase, which can be used as imaging agents or therapeutic agents. The agents can be used to image tumor hypoxia as well as other physiological processes in a subject.

The application provides fluorescent dyes, which are cyanine dyes that incorporate additional aza moieties in the indolenium heterocycles and/or in the methine chains connecting them. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical chemically reactive azacyanine dyes are described for conjugation, as well as their bioconjugates for in-vitro and in-vivo assays and fluorescence imaging.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.

The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.