BIOIMAGING

The Subproject “BIOIMAGING-GR – NHRF” concerns the establishment of a research infrastructure at the Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Biotechnology of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), within the framework of the “BIOIMAGING-GR” project. Its aim is the synthesis and characterization of suitably designed molecular organic tracers, to be used either for biomolecule labeling or as tools for studying biological phenomena and cellular processes by the other research infrastructures of “BIOIMAGING-GR.”

The ability to detect, diagnose, and monitor physiological, pathophysiological, and molecular alterations through imaging techniques is essential for disease management, personalized therapy, and basic biological research. However, the implementation of such imaging approaches requires the development of innovative small molecules capable of selective interaction with biological molecules or cellular systems, specific accumulation in target organs or tissues, and detectability by the diverse imaging techniques available within the “BIOIMAGING-GR” infrastructure.

In particular, near-infrared (NIR) dyes exhibit high molar absorptivity, intense fluorescence, and excellent photostability. Moreover, biological tissues absorb less in the NIR region than in the visible spectrum, allowing greater penetration depth and thus data acquisition from deeper cellular structures. Additionally, reduced autofluorescence in the NIR range results in a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Dyes of this type have been widely used in biomedical imaging applications, with Cy3 and Cy5 being among the most popular representatives of this class.

The services provided by the NHRF/IBMCB infrastructure within BIOIMAGING-GR will fall into two main categories:

Development of photochromic compounds detectable within the visible, near-infrared, or broad fluorescence spectrum. Special emphasis will be placed on near-infrared photochromic dyes. These novel compounds will be employed by BIOIMAGING-GR’s imaging technologies to study biological mechanisms, cellular functions, and signaling pathways, as well as to investigate pathological conditions.

Strategic labeling of bioactive compounds or biomolecules with photochromic dyes (e.g., FITC, BODIPY, cyanine dyes) through appropriate linkers, enabling their in vitro and in vivo detection and the elucidation of the biological processes in which they are involved. Bioorthogonal chemistry methodologies will be employed to allow selective biomolecule labeling under biocompatible conditions.