METHODS OF DETECTING BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, CELLULAR BEHAVIOR AND DRUG DELIVERY USING ENCAPSULATED POLYMETHINE AGGREGATES

摘要

Presented herein are methods of using encapsulated J-aggregates of indocyanine green (ICG) as a ratiometric sensor of biological activity. Upon interaction with a biological phenomena of interest, the encapsulated J-aggregates can be released and dissolved upon rupture, inducing a detectable hypsochromic shift in the absorption spectra and corresponding increase in fluorescence. Various imaging techniques can be employed to visualize this sensor including photoacoustic imaging, two-photon imaging, fluorescence imaging, near infrared imaging, and a variety of other optical or optics-based techniques. Additionally, if the J-aggregates of ICG are also encapsulated with drugs or therapeutic molecules, the ratiometric sensing using ICG can be used to confirm drug release and delivery.