Fluorescence-based techniques are powerful tools for bioscience and biotechnology research. They are often considered as probes for quantifying and qualifying biomolecules and visualizers for real-time tracking of biological events. In conventional fluorescent systems, their strong fluorescence in dilute solutions will be weakened or quenched when their molecules are aggregated in poor solvents or they are fabricated as solid their films. Such "aggregation-caused quenching" (ACQ) effect has greatly limited their scope for high-technological applications.

In 2001, an opposite phenomenon to ACQ called "aggregation-induced emission" (AIE) was discovered. Luminogens with AIE characteristics are generally non-luminescent in solutions but emit intensely in the aggregated state. They...[ Read more ]

Fluorescence-based techniques are powerful tools for bioscience and biotechnology research. They are often considered as probes for quantifying and qualifying biomolecules and visualizers for real-time tracking of biological events. In conventional fluorescent systems, their strong fluorescence in dilute solutions will be weakened or quenched when their molecules are aggregated in poor solvents or they are fabricated as solid their films. Such "aggregation-caused quenching" (ACQ) effect has greatly limited their scope for high-technological applications.

In 2001, an opposite phenomenon to ACQ called "aggregation-induced emission" (AIE) was discovered. Luminogens with AIE characteristics are generally non-luminescent in solutions but emit intensely in the aggregated state. They thus solve the ACQ problem and meanwhile open up a brand-new platform for exploring biological applications.

Based on the AIE mechanism, restriction of intramolecular motion, the emission of AIE luminogens (AIEgens) can be turned on through binding to various biomacromolecules, such as phospholipid, DNA and proteins, allowing analyte qualification and quantitation, native/denatured protein differentiation, protein fibrillation monitoring and electrophoretic gel visualization.

Thanks to the outstanding biocompatibility of AIEgens, they can be utilized for visualizing and tracking cellular activities. In addition to their superior photostability and long-term persistence in cell, detailed insight on the physiological events can be achieved.