Using Unexplored Wavelengths for Cancer Diagnosis ~Developed a highly safe shortwave-infrared fluorescent dyes used for medical applications~

The joint research team of Professor Kenji Monde, Assistant Professor Yuta Murai, Associate Professor Swamy of the Hokkaido University and Research Scientist Takasi Jin, Technical Staff Setsuko Tsuboi has successfully developed a fluorescent dye for medical applications of shortwave-infrared fluorescent imaging. This achievement is a very important basic technology for medical applications of non-invasive imaging technology using shortwave-infrared light.

Although there has been a global research race to develop shortwave-Infrared fluorescent imaging technology for the past several years, there has been no success in developing shortwave-infrared fluorescent dyes that can be applied in humans. In this study, the collaborative research team has developed a shortwave-infrared fluorescent analog based on indocyanine green (ICG), the only one approved for use in humans, paving the way for medical applications of shortwave-infrared fluorescent imaging.

The results of this research were published online in the ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces journal published Monday, April 1.

Original Article: Biocompatible and water-soluble shortwave-infrared (SWIR) emitting cyanine-based fluorescent probes for in vivo multiplexed molecular imaging.