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New photostable and bright supramolecular complexes based on cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) host and diketopyrrolopyrole (DPP) guest dyes having two positively charged 4‐(trimethylammonio)phenyl groups were prepared and characterized. The dye core displays large Stokes shift (in H2O, abs./emission max. 480/550 nm; ϵ~19 000, τfl>4 ns), strong binding with the host (~560 nM Kd) and a linker affording fluorescence detection of bioconjugates with antibody and nanobody. Combination of protein‐functionalized DPP dye with CB7 improves photostability and affords up to 12‐fold emission gain. Two‐color confocal and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy with 595 nm or 655 nm STED depletion lasers shows that the presence of CB7 not only leads to improved brightness and image quality, but also results in DPP becoming cell‐permeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New photoactivatable fluorescent dyes (rhodamine, carbo‐ and silicon‐rhodamines [SiR]) with emission ranging from green to far red have been prepared, and their photophysical properties studied. The photocleavable 2‐nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl unit with an alpha‐carboxyl group as a branching point and additional functionality was attached to a polycyclic and lipophilic fluorescent dye. The photoactivatable probes having the HaloTagTM amine (O2) ligand bound with a dye core were obtained and applied for live‐cell staining in stable cell lines incorporating Vimentin (VIM) or Nuclear Pore Complex Protein NUP96 fused with the HaloTag. The probes were applied in 2D (VIM, NUP96) and 3D (VIM) MINFLUX nanoscopy, as well as in superresolution fluorescence microscopy with single fluorophore activation (VIM, live‐cell labeling). Images of VIM and NUPs labeled with different dyes were acquired and their apparent dimensions and shapes assessed on a lower single‐digit nanometer scale. Applicability and performance of the photoactivatable dye derivatives were evaluated in terms of photoactivation rate, labeling and detection efficiency, number of detected photons per molecule and other parameters related to MINFLUX nanoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of photoswitchable fluorescent diarylethenes (fDAEs) as protein labels in fluorescence microscopy and nanoscopy has been limited by labeling inhomogeneity and the need for ultraviolet light for fluorescence activation (on-switching). To overcome these drawbacks, we prepared "turn-on mode" fDAEs featuring thienyl substituents, multiple polar residues, and a reactive maleimide group in the core structure. Conjugates with antibodies and nanobodies displayed complete on-switching and excitation with violet (405 nm) and yellow-green (<565 nm) light, respectively. Besides, they afforded high signal-to-noise ratios and low unspecific labeling in fluorescence imaging. Irradiation with visible light at 532 nm or 561 nm led to transient on-off switching ("blinking") of the fDAEs of double-labeled nanobodies so that nanoscale superresolution images were readily attained through switching and localization of individual fluorophores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reversibly photoswitchable 1,2-bis(2-ethyl-6-phenyl-1-benzothiophene-1,1-dioxide-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentenes (EBT) having fluorescent 'closed' forms were decorated with four or eight carboxylic groups and attached to antibodies. Low aggregation, efficient photoswitching in aqueous buffers, specific staining of cellular structures, and good photophysical properties were demonstrated. Alternating light pulses of UV and blue light induce numerous reversible photochemical transformations between two stables states with distinct structures. Using relatively low light intensities, EBTs were applied in biology-related super-resolution microscopy based on the reversible saturable (switchable) optical linear fluorescence transitions (RESOLFT) and demonstrated optical resolution of 75 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial resolution of fluorescence microscopes is limited by diffraction to about half of the light wavelength, hampering the observation of many important intracellular processes. Recent emerging techniques have overcome that diffraction barrier using the temporal discrimination of close objects that are otherwise unresolved or blurred within the spatial resolution of the microscope. The key of these techniques is to switch the signal of fluorescence markers on and off exploiting their distinct molecular states, and detect and localize these markers at the single-molecule level. This underlying principle highlights the critical role of the photophysical properties of the probes, and the importance of finding adequate switching mechanisms. Here, we present strategies to achieve fluorescence modulation based on novel molecular assemblies containing a [1,3]oxazine as the two states, building block responsible for the transformation. Two different triggering events, based on the photochromic and halochromic properties of the oxazine, induce a large absorption and emission bathochromic shift of a pendant fluorophore, as the ultimate fluorescence switching event. The implementation of these approaches to achieve spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial resolution in far-field fluorescence microscopy is limited by diffraction to about 200 nm. With the aid of photoswitchable fluorophores, the diffraction barrier has been successfully overcome, allowing unprecedented resolution in the order of single biomolecules. The imaging process demands markers with strict and reliable control of the switching, to keep most of the markers in a non-emissive state most of the time and to bring a tiny number back to an emissive state, and detection at the single-molecule level. Herein, we describe the use of rhodamine spiroamides with unique photophysical properties as molecular probes for super-resolution techniques based on the localization of single emitters. This family of photochromic and fluorescent compounds fulfils the stringent requirements for such imaging methods; these compounds are robust and capable of enduring single-molecule detection in diverse environments. This has allowed meaningful images with resolution down to a few nanometres. Their design, synthesis and implementation is discussed along with imaging applications in material and life sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-molecule (SM) fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate the photochromic fluorescent system spiropyran-merocyanine (SP ↔ MC) interacting with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). We observe a significant increase in the brightness of the emissive MC form, in the duration of its ON time, and in the total number of emitted photons. The spatial distribution of SMs with improved photophysical performance was obtained with 40 nm precision relative to the nearest AuNP. We demonstrate that even photochromic systems with poor photochemical performance for SM can become suitable for long time monitoring and high performance microscopy by interaction with metallic NP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]