Water soluble 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 including branched non-ionic water soluble groups (WSG) comprising two or more water soluble polymers. In some cases, the branched non-ionic water soluble groups (WSG) of the present disclosure are capable of imparting solubility in water in excess of 50 mg/mL to the multichromophore. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are aggregation-resistant labelled specific binding members that include the subject water soluble 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.

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.

Described are polymerizable high energy light absorbing compounds of formula I: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, and X are as described herein. The compounds absorb various wavelengths of ultraviolet and/or high energy visible light and are suitable for incorporation in various products, such as biomedical devices and ophthalmic devices.

A copolymer useful as an ingredient of a colored resin composition, comprising a structural unit derived from an aromatic carboxylic acid having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, a structural unit (Ab) represented by formula (Z), and a structural unit (Ac) derived from an unsaturated compound having a cyclic ether structure having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, A represents a phenyl group optionally having a substituent other than a carboxy group or a naphthyl group optionally having a substituent other than a carboxy group, R.sup.a represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen atom contained in the alkyl group is optionally replaced by a hydroxy group. ##STR00001##

Described herein are polymeric compounds including an acceptor dye and donor luminophore, a polymer, and optionally a bioconjugate group. A polymeric compound of the present invention may have a structure represented by: A-B-C or C-A-B, wherein A is an acceptor dye; B is a polymer comprising one or more hydrophobic unit(s) and one or more hydrophilic unit(s); and optionally C, wherein C, when present, comprises a bioconjugate group, wherein one or more donor luminophore(s) are each separately attached to a portion of the polymer and/or to a portion of the acceptor dye. Also described herein are compositions comprising the polymeric compounds and methods of preparing and using the same.

Water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes are provided herein. In certain cases, the water-soluble dye is a dipyrromethene-boron dye. Embodiments of the subject water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes have a narrow absorption maxima in the yellow green range close to or at the 561 nm laser line, and are suitable for use in tandem dye systems. Embodiments of the subject dyes efficiently transfer energy to an acceptor chromophore while a second dipyrromethene-based dye of the same or different chemical structure is within energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided herein are tandem dyes that include the subject water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes, e.g., as donor chromophores. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Water-soluble fluorescent polymeric dyes and polymeric tandem dyes are provided. The polymeric dyes include a water solvated light harvesting multi-chromophore having a conjugated segment of aryl and/or heteroaryl co-monomers. The molar ratio of the co-monomers can be adjusted to provide beneficial technical properties, such as increased water solubility and improved absorption and emission spectra. For instance, the conjugated segment can have a first co-monomer substituted with a water-soluble group (WSG) and a second co-monomer, wherein the first co-monomer is in an amount that is equal or greater than the amount of the second co-monomer, multi-chromophore. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multi-chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are aggregation-resistant labeled specific binding members that include the subject water-soluble 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.

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I):

##STR00001##

or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, M, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a melanin composition extracted from black knot fungus (Apiosporina morbosa) using an acid-base extraction technique. In one or more embodiments, the melanin composition is extracted from the black outer layer of a black knot fungus by obtaining a powder including a black outer part of one or more black knot fungus, adding a quantity of an aqueous solution comprising one or more base, heating the mixture to solubilize a melanin in the aqueous solution to form a black alkaline supernatant containing said melanin, adding one or more acids to said black alkaline supernatant until the melanin precipitates out of said black alkaline supernatant, said melanin precipitate further comprising proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; collecting the melanin precipitate and adding one or more acids to hydrolyze some or all of said proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and produce the melanin composition.

Described are polymerizable high energy light absorbing compounds of formula I:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, and X are as described herein. The compounds absorb various wavelengths of ultraviolet and/or high energy visible light and are suitable for incorporation in various products, such as biomedical devices and ophthalmic devices.