| dc.description.abstract | Boron-dipyrromethene dyes, commonly known as BODIPY dyes, are fluorescent molecules whose photophysical properties could be fine-tuned by relatively straightforward synthetic manipulations.1 While the scaffold of the dye remains the same, substituents can be added to the BODIPY dye to produce a diverse range of BODIPY dyes. Arguably, this is one of the biggest advantages that BODIPY dyes have over other types of fluorescent dyes. Furthermore, BODIPY dyes are chemically inert, which allows their applications in various types of media, including biologically-relevant ones. Since photophysical properties of BODIPY dyes are impacted by properties of the environment (e.g., viscosity, polarity, pH, etc), there is a possibility to utilize BODIPY dyes to function as environment-sensitive small molecular probes. While these dyes have a wide variety of applications, our group has specifically considered their use in the study of cystic fibrosis. The viscosity of the mucus secreted from mucin granules is being explored due to its relationship to the pathology of cystic fibrosis. Cells affected by cystic fibrosis demonstrated elevated levels of mucus viscosity within their mucin granules. Early detection of the elevated viscosity levels could be beneficial in starting treatment in the early stages of the disease. | |
