The present invention relates to a chemical compound comprising (i) a polycationic polymer, coupled to (ii) a dye. The present invention further relates to a method for visualizing a glycosamine-containing structure in a biological sample comprising a) contacting an inner lumen of said biological sample with a dye-conjugated polycationic polymer, preferably with the chemical compound according to the present invention; b) tissue-clearing said biological sample; and, thereby, c) visualizing an internal glycosamine-containing structure in said biological sample. The present invention also relates to a method for determining the number and/or size of glomeruli in a kidney or a sample thereof making use of the method for visualizing a glycosamine-containing structure; and also relates to kits and uses related to said chemical compounds and said methods.

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.

Described are visible light absorbing compounds. The compounds have a visible light absorption maximum between 430 and 480 nm and a full width half maximum (FWHM) at the visible light absorption maximum of at least 35 nm and up to 100 nanometers, wherein the compounds are photostable. The compounds substantially mimic the visible light absorbance properties of macular pigment while remaining photostable. The compounds may be used in a variety of articles, including ophthalmic devices.

The present disclosure relates to polymers which contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic segment which is sensitive to pH. In some aspects, the polymers form a micelle which is sensitive to pH and results in a change in fluorescence based upon the particular pH. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides methods of using the polymers for the imaging of cellular or extracellular environment or delivering a drug.

The present invention relates to novel tricarbocyanine-cyclodextrin(s) conjugates useful as markers in the diagnosis of kidney diseases, a diagnostic composition comprising said conjugates, their use and their production.

Multimeric protected fluorescent reagents and their methods of synthesis are provided. The reagents are useful in various fluorescence-based analytical methods, including the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, such as single molecule real time nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The reagents contain fluorescent dye elements, that allow the compounds to be detected with high sensitivity at desirable wavelengths, binding elements, that allow the compounds to be recognized specifically by target biomolecules, and protective shield elements, that decrease undesirable contacts between the fluorescent dye elements and the bound target biomolecules and that therefore decrease photodamage of the bound target biomolecules by the fluorescent dye elements. The reagents also contain coupling elements connect monomeric compounds into multimeric forms, thereby increasing brightness.

Labeled nucleotide analogs comprising at least one avidin protein, at least one dye-labeled compound, and at least one nucleotide compound are provided. The analogs are useful in various fluorescence-based analytical methods, including the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, such as single molecule real time nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The analogs are detectable with high sensitivity at desirable wavelengths. They contain structural components that modulate the interactions of the analogs with DNA polymerase, thus decreasing photodamage and improving the kinetic and other properties of the analogs in sequencing reactions. Also provided are nucleotide and dye-labeled compounds of the subject analogs, as well as intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds and analogs. Compositions comprising the compounds, methods of synthesis of the intermediates, compounds, and analogs, and mutant DNA polymerases are also provided.

Provided herein are heterocyclic near infrared compounds, including near IR compounds defined by Formulae I-V described herein. The near infrared compounds can include a cyanine group, a phthalocyanine group, a naphthalocyanine group, a squaraine group, a carbocyanine group, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the near infrared compound can be charged. In some embodiments, the near infrared compound can comprise a cationic group. Compositions comprising the near infrared compounds are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition can contain the near infrared compound, a polymer, and an acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the polymer can include an anionic group. The compositions can be used as a coating for marking a surface, such as an ink. The compositions can also be used on articles for detecting, identifying, or authenticating the article. Methods of making the compositions described herein are also disclosed.

Water-soluble photoactive polymers, included polymer tandem dyes, as described as well as methods for their preparation and use. The photoactive polymers can be prepared by direct modification of core polymers (e.g., violet excitable polymers) with dyes or other functional groups. Methods of detecting analytes using the polymers are also described.

Labeled nucleotide analogs comprising at least one avidin protein, at least one dye-labeled compound, and at least one nucleotide compound are provided. The analogs are useful in various fluorescence-based analytical methods, including the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, such as single molecule real time nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The analogs are detectable with high sensitivity at desirable wavelengths. They contain structural components that modulate the interactions of the analogs with DNA polymerase, thus decreasing photodamage and improving the kinetic and other properties of the analogs in sequencing reactions. Also provided are nucleotide and dye-labeled compounds of the subject analogs, as well as intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds and analogs. Compositions comprising the compounds, methods of synthesis of the intermediates, compounds, and analogs, and mutant DNA polymerases are also provided.