Search

Lanthanides have unique photoluminescence (PL) emission properties, including very long PL lifetimes. This makes them ideal for biological imaging applications, especially using PL lifetime imaging microscopy (PLIM). PLIM is an inherently multidimensional technique with exceptional advantages for quantitative biological imaging. Unfortunately, due to the required prolonged acquisitions times, photobleaching of lanthanide PL emission currently constitutes one of the main drawbacks of PLIM. In this study, we report a small aqueous‐soluble, lanthanide antenna, 8‐methoxy‐2‐oxo‐1,2,4,5‐tetrahydrocyclopenta[de]quinoline‐3‐phosphonic acid, PAnt, specifically designed to dynamically interact with lanthanide ions, serving as exchangeable dye aimed at mitigating photobleaching in PLIM microscopy in cellulo. Thus, self‐assembled lanthanide complexes that may be photobleached during image acquisition are continuously replenished by intact lanthanide antennas from a large reservoir. Remarkably, our self‐assembled lanthanide complex clearly demonstrated a significant reduction of PL photobleaching when compared to well‐established lanthanide cryptates, used for bioimaging. This concept of exchangeable lanthanide antennas opens new possibilities for quantitative PLIM bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a significant advancement in quantitative PLIM bioimaging called PAnt (phosphonic acid antenna). PAnt is a small water-soluble lanthanide antenna that can self-assemble with lanthanide ions, serving as an exchangeable probe to overcome photobleaching in PLIM microscopy in cellulo. This allows for continuous replenishment of lanthanide complexes that may be photobleached during acquisition, resulting in remarkable photostability compared to traditional lanthanide cryptates. The research was conducted by Angel Orte, Juan A. González-Vera, and their team, and the article includes artwork by M. Eugenio Vázquez from the University of Santiago de Compostela. [Extracted from the article]