Ion Imaging
As a global leading supplier of chemicals and biological reagents, BOC Sciences is committed to providing high-quality fluorescent reagents and customized development services for research and industrial customers. Our fluorescent reagent development capabilities cover the entire process from molecular design and synthesis to functional validation, meeting the needs of various fields, especially in ion imaging. Ion imaging technology, as an important tool in biomedical research, is widely used in fields such as cell biology, neuroscience, and drug screening. Fluorescent reagents, as the core component of ion imaging, directly determine the sensitivity, resolution, and specificity of imaging.
What is Ion Imaging?
Ion imaging enables researchers to visualize and map the distribution and concentration variations of specific ions in biological systems. Ionic species, including calcium ions along with potassium, sodium, and chloride, among others Ions function as essential elements in cell signal transduction and metabolic regulation as well as physiological processes. Ion imaging technology lets scientists observe real-time ion activity across cells, tissues, or entire organisms, which advances knowledge on biological functions and disease mechanisms. Fluorescent probes and reagents which attach to specific target ions enable ion imaging technologies to produce detectable fluorescent signals. Researchers achieve high-resolution ion distribution images by capturing fluorescent signals with fluorescence microscopy or alternative imaging devices. Neuroscience research heavily depends on ion imaging to examine calcium ion movements associated with neuronal function. In drug screening, ion imaging supports drug screening by measuring drug effects on ion channel and ion pump functionality. In addition, ion imaging serves to identify ion pollution within water bodies and soil compositions in the field of environmental science.
Technical Foundation and Core Competencies of BOC Sciences
Probe Design and Synthesis
Using quantum chemical calculations to optimize the electronic structure of fluorophores, enhancing molar extinction coefficients and quantum yields. For example, the quantum yield of its FITC derivative at an emission wavelength of 515 nm reaches 0.65, significantly higher than the industry average.High Sensitivity and Selectivity
BOC Sciences’ fluorescent reagents are meticulously designed and optimized to achieve high sensitivity and high selectivity for target ions. For example, Fluo-3 has a detection limit for calcium ions at the nanomolar level, while the Zinpyr series exhibits much higher selectivity for zinc ions compared to other divalent metal ions.Wide Dynamic Range
BOC Sciences’ fluorescent reagents have a wide dynamic range, meeting ion detection requirements across different concentration ranges. For instance, Fura-2 can accurately measure calcium ion concentrations from nanomolar to micromolar levels.Excellent Photostability and Biocompatibility
Our fluorescent reagents possess excellent photostability and biocompatibility, suitable for long-term live-cell imaging experiments. For example, Rhod-2 maintains stable fluorescence signals under prolonged light exposure and exhibits low cytotoxicity.
One-stop Fluorescent Reagent Solutions to Accelerate Your Research and Production
BOC Sciences' fluorescent reagent development capabilities cover the entire process from molecular design and chemical synthesis to performance optimization. We provide highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for various ion species, such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and zinc ions. We employ innovative molecular design strategies by introducing specific recognition groups to achieve high selectivity for target ions. Additionally, by regulating the electronic structure of fluorophores, we optimize fluorescence signal intensity, wavelength, and response speed. We also offer synthesis and modification capabilities for a variety of fluorophores, including but not limited to rhodamine, coumarin, and BODIPY, providing customers with diverse options.
Calcium Ion Fluorescent Probes
- Fura-2 Series
- Fluo-4 Series
- Rhod-2 Series
- Indo-1 Series
Sodium/Potassium Ion Probes
- SBFI Series
- CoroNa Series
- PBFI Series
- Asante Potassium Series
Hydrogen Ion Fluorescent Probes
- SNARF Series
- BCECF Series
- LysoSensor Series
- pHrodo Series
Magnesium Ion Fluorescent Probes
- Mag-Fura-2 Series
- Mag-Indo-1 Series
Zinc Ion Fluorescent Probes
- Zinpyr Series
- Fluozin-3 Series
Copper Ion Fluorescent Probes
- Phen Green FL Series
- Rhodamine-based Series
Chloride Ion Fluorescent Probes
- MQAE
- SPQ
Nitrate Ion Fluorescent Probes
- DAF-FM
- DAR-4M
Explore Our Popular Ion Imaging Probes List
Ion Type | Representative Product | Excitation/Emission Wavelength (nm) | Detection Limit | Specificity | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ca² ⁺ | 494/516 | 50 nM | Calmodulin Binding | Neuronal Signal Transduction Research | |
Pb² ⁺/Cd² ⁺ | Leadmium Green AM | 490/520 | Pb²⁺ 1 nM | Thiol Chelation | Heavy Metal Toxicity Evaluation |
Zn² ⁺ | FluoZin-3 AM | 494/516 | 100 pM | Bipyridine Ligand | Immune Cell Function Analysis |
Fe² ⁺ | FeRhoNox-1 | 540/565 | 5 μM | Redox-Sensitive | Ferroptosis Mechanism Research |
In³ ⁺/ClO ⁻ | BQC Dual-Target Probe | 488/525 (Green) | In³⁺ 0.1 μM | Benzothiazole Group | Industrial Wastewater Detection |
K ⁺ | PBFI | 340/440 | 10 μM | Crown Ether Structure | Cardiomyocyte Electrophysiological Monitoring |
Na ⁺ | 340/440 | 5 μM | Benzofuran Structure | Renal Tubule Ion Transport Research | |
Mg² ⁺ | Mag-Fluo-4 AM | 480/520 | 100 nM | EDTA Derivative | Mitochondrial Magnesium Homeostasis Analysis |
Functional or Structural Modifications of Fluorescent Reagents for Your Specific Needs
To meet the needs of different application scenarios, BOC Sciences offers functional or structural modification services for fluorescent reagents. These modifications can significantly enhance the performance of reagents, such as improving their binding ability to target ions, increasing fluorescence signals, or enhancing their distribution properties in biological systems. Our modification services include:
Structural Optimization
Optimizing the optical properties of fluorescent molecules (such as excitation/emission wavelengths, fluorescence quantum yield, etc.) by adjusting the core structure of the fluorescent molecule.
Click Chemistry Coupling
Achieving site-specific labeling of probes with antibodies or nucleic acids using the highly efficient reaction of DBCO-azide groups, with a coupling efficiency of over 95%.
Target Group Introduction
Combining with biomolecules such as peptides, antibodies, or small molecule ligands to achieve targeted imaging of specific cells, tissues, or subcellular structures. For example, GalNAc-modified siRNA probes.
Stability Enhancement
Using thiophosphate modifications on nucleic acid probes to resist nuclease degradation, extending their half-life in serum to over 24 hours.
Compatibility Optimization
Optimizing the spectral properties and signal intensity of fluorescent dyes according to the requirements of experimental platforms (such as confocal microscopes, flow cytometers).
Strict Fluorescent Reagent Quality Testing Services
Fig. 1. Analytical Instruments (BOC Sciences Authorized).
- Purity and Structural Confirmation: Using high-precision analytical techniques like HPLC, NMR, and MS to ensure high purity and structural accuracy of fluorescent reagents.
- Optical Performance Testing: Including parameters such as fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, photostability, and fluorescence intensity, to ensure the reliability and consistency of reagents during imaging.
- Functional Validation: Verifying the ion selectivity, sensitivity, and biocompatibility of fluorescent reagents through ion titration experiments and cell imaging experiments.
- Ion Selectivity Testing: Verifying the selectivity and sensitivity of reagents for target ions through competitive binding experiments.
- Stability Testing: Evaluating the stability of fluorescent reagents under different environmental conditions to ensure their stability and reliability during storage and application.
Advanced Analytical Platform
- UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
- FTIR
- NMR
- Fluorescence Spectroscopy
- HPLC
- GC
- GPC
- TLC
- LC-MS
- GC-MS
- AAS
- ICP-MS
- XRF
- DSC
- TGA
- Melting Point Apparatus
- Polarimeter
- Viscometer
- XRD
- Karl Fischer Titration
What are the Applications of Fluorescent Reagents in Ion Imaging?
Ion Concentration Monitoring
Fluorescent imaging technology can quantitatively analyze the concentration of specific ions by monitoring changes in fluorescence signal intensity, revealing the dynamic balance of ions inside and outside cells and their roles in biological processes. For example, intracellular calcium ions (Ca²⁺) act as important second messengers and participate in various physiological processes, including cell excitability, signal transduction, gene expression, secretion activities, and apoptosis. Using highly sensitive calcium ion fluorescent probes such as Fluo-4, Fura-2, and Indo-1, rapid changes in calcium ion concentration can be precisely detected, providing essential data for studying the roles of calcium ions in cellular signal transduction, synaptic plasticity, muscle contraction, and endocrine regulation.
Ion Dynamics Tracking
Fluorescent imaging technology, with its high temporal resolution, can track the dynamic distribution and flow of ions in real time, revealing ion translocation across membranes, intracellular transport, and spatial distribution changes. For example, the transmembrane movement of sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) ions determines membrane potential changes, directly affecting the excitation and inhibition of neurons. By using sodium and potassium ion probes like SBFI and PBFI, real-time tracking of ion flow mediated by the sodium-potassium pump and sodium-potassium channels can reveal the generation, propagation, and integration of action potentials in neural networks.
Ion Channel Function Research
Ion channels play a crucial role in maintaining membrane potential, signal transmission, osmotic pressure balance, and intracellular homeostasis. Fluorescent reagents can be used to label ion channels and their ligands, allowing real-time monitoring of ion channel activation, closure, and their responses to external stimuli and drugs. For instance, calcium ion channels (such as L-type calcium channels) are critical in neuronal excitability and muscle contraction. By combining calcium ion probes like Fluo-4 and Fura-2 with calcium channel blockers or agonists, the open probability, calcium influx rate, and function of calcium channels in cellular signal transduction can be studied.
Pathophysiological Mechanism Analysis
Ion homeostasis imbalance is closely related to the occurrence and progression of various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. By using fluorescent imaging technology to monitor abnormal ion changes inside and outside cells, the mechanisms of disease onset can be revealed. For example, in Alzheimer's disease, the imbalance of calcium ion homeostasis is believed to be related to excessive neuronal excitability, synaptic damage, and cell apoptosis. Monitoring calcium signal abnormalities in neurons using calcium ion probes helps elucidate the role of calcium overload in neurodegenerative changes.
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