Crosslinked and functionalized nanostructures with photonic shell cores for biological applications

摘要

The present invention provides optical agents comprising optically functional cross linked supramolecular structures and assemblies useful for a range of imaging, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. Supramolecular structures and assemblies of the present invention include optically functional shell-cross linked micelles wherein optical functionality is achieved via incorporation of one or more linking groups that include one or more photoactive moieties. The present invention further includes imaging, sensing and therapeutic methods using one or more optical agents of the present invention including optically functional shell cross-linked micelles. The present invention includes in situ monitoring methods, for example, wherein physical and/or structural changes in an optically functional shell-cross linked micelle generated in response to changes in chemical environment or physiological conditions causes a measurable change in the wavelengths or intensities of emission from the micelle.