TWO-PHOTON MARKERS OF MITOCHONDRIA

Description

Mitochondria are the subcellular organelles responsible for managing the energy supply to the cell. These organelles are surrounded by a polarized double membrane, with a membrane potential value around 180 mV. This membrane potential facilitates the passage of charged molecules allowing the selective accumulation of positively charged species within the mitochondria. The development of new fluorescent di-cationic compounds with 2-photon absorption properties allows selective labeling of mitochondria. As low-energy excitation wavelengths are used, the study of these organelles can be carried out in living cells.

Advantages

The main advantages of these mitochondria markers are: a) present an economical, easy and direct synthesis. b) They present great stability and good 2-photon absorption properties. c) Allow the study of mitochondria in living cells.

Uses and Applications

The invention encompasses the selective marking of mitochondria with fluorescent compounds with 2-photon absorption capacity, which is why it has applications in the field of bioimaging and study of these cellular organelles.