Fluorofory

Fluorofory is a family of synthetic fluorescent dyes used in biological imaging. They are designed to emit bright fluorescence with high photostability and are widely used as labels for proteins, nucleic acids, and cellular structures.

Origins: The Fluorofory class emerged in the 2010s from research groups seeking dyes with improved brightness and reduced self-quenching. The core scaffold combines an extended conjugated chromophore with charged substituents that enhance water solubility and reduce aggregation. Variants are commonly named by their excitation/emission utilities (for example Fluorofory-488, Fluorofory-520, Fluorofory-647).

Chemical features: The dyes typically have a rigid, planar core to maximize quantum yield and a flexible sulfonate or quaternary ammonium side group to improve aqueous solubility. Absorption peaks range from about 480 to 690 nm, with emission 520 to 750 nm. Quantum yields are reported up to high values in optimal buffers; photostability varies with light exposure and oxygen concentration. They are often pH-insensitive in the physiological range but may shift with extreme pH.

Applications: Used as fluorescent labels for antibodies (immunofluorescence), nucleic acids, and proteins; compatible with standard fluorescence microscopes and flow cytometers; applicable to live-cell imaging, fixed-cell imaging, and multi-color experiments. Some variants are designed for Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs or as fluorescent tags in genetic constructs.

Limitations and safety: Like other dyes, Fluorofory can be susceptible to photobleaching and nonspecific binding. Solubility and brightness depend on the chemical variant, buffer composition, and conjugation method. Handling requires standard laboratory safety practices; dyes are typically supplied with material safety data sheets.