ION Biosciences was initially founded to synthesize complex, ion-chelating, fluorescence-based indicators of the highest purity and has never strayed from that mission. Contract chemistry services go hand in hand with designing, proving and producing novel indicators. Our team of R&D chemists are published, credentialed and experienced in total organic synthesis of fluorescent probes, conjugatable indicators and functionally-appending fluorophores to broad classes of organic substrates. With an ever-growing catalog of novel products, ION Biosciences is well prepared to deliver on your next project, whether that is a technology transfer or periodic contract production services, ION has you covered. Contract chemistry solutions that solve your problem, fit your budget and meet your deadline.
Our chemists are prepared to build a solution that fits your needs. Whether you have conceptualized the molecule or not, we can design from scratch or pick up your concept and run with it. The limit of our skills is your imagination, and while chemistry cannot be forced, our teams have broad experience in advanced organic techniques, develop multiple possible synthetic approaches, perform extensive research to support project goals and are project stakeholders themselves – ensuring client access to the chemists directly responsible for project success – not insulated by layers of hierarchy typical of CMOs.
[Fura-2 LR (Leakage-Resistant)] was developed to improve intracellular dye retention of the popular ratiometric calcium indicator, [Fura-2 AM]. Over extended periods of time, an increasing baseline drift is often noticed with calcium assays utilizing Fura-2 AM due to intracellular leakage of the fluorescent indicator over periods of hours. In fact, this intracellular leakage is inherent for many ion indicators and limits kinetic fluorescence assays on extremely long time scales.
To maximize intracellular dye retention and improve dye loading performance, ION’s chemists functionalized the 5’ methyl group of the BAPTA-backbone which Fura-2 is assembled on. By adding a propionic acid moiety to the 5’ position, and masking this with more acetoxymethyl esters, Fura-2 AM is successfully transformed into a leakage-resistant analog we’ve named ‘Fura-2 LR.’ The addition of the AM ester of the propionic acid imparts the ‘leakage-resistant’ quality, allowing for fluorescence imaging over much longer periods than previously achievable.
Fura-2 LR maintains the same spectral characteristics that define Fura-2 AM, namely a Kd= 145 nM, Excitation wavelength: 363 nm and Emission wavelength: 518 nm, exactly like Fura-2 AM. However, over long periods of time, Fura-2 Leakage-Resistant shows a remarkable affinity for the intracellular environment as compared to traditional Fura-2 AM.
An example scope of work is outlined below:
ION Biosciences’ research, pilot development and production teams work seamlessly to facilitate well defined, scalable projects for your custom chemistry needs. Leverage our experience to achieve your company’s goals faster by selecting the one company that can do it all in-house. From milligrams to kilograms, and from synthesizing to screening the visible, fluorescent and ultraviolet- ION Biosciences can do it. So whether you’re considering a novel application of fluorescent indicators, elucidating ion channel kinetics or trying to fluorescently-label ions in other dynamic systems, consider the experts who tackle these difficult problems daily. ION Biosciences is your trusted partner for custom synthesis and contract chemistry.
