Visible and near infrared probes for molecular imaging

Context

Molecular imaging, visualization, characterization and measurement of biological processes at the cellular, subcellular, molecular or even in living organs, has rapidly gained importance in the era of personalized medicine. Molecular probes are the main driving force of research in molecular imaging. Fluorescence microscopy is now part of the methods of R&D in the biomedical field. It continues to grow with molecular imaging. With advances in biology, this technique is still looking for new single agents capable of being complementary to the existing. The global market for imaging agents is estimated at 10.3 billion $ in 2013.

Technology

Three new chemical families of molecular probes for photonics applications in two broad areas, namely:

• Visible/fluorescence with “TTAZAP” chemical family
• Near infrared (NIR) with two chemical families: “TTHA” and “dendrimers”

Benefits

• «TTAZAP» family: Unique Absorption / Emission Spectrum & small size molecules, solubility and large stokes shift. Synthesis optimized to mg.

• «TTHA» & «Dendrimers» families :
  • Deep penetration by the NIR light
  • Potential applications: Molecular and functional imaging of healthy and pathological tissues, and for guided surgery.