Cyanine dye conjugates as probes for live cell imaging

A series of fluorescent compounds suitable for live cell imaging is described. Functionalized forms of four different asymmetric cyanine dyes are reported that are amenable to peptide conjugation. The photophysical properties of the modified dyes and conjugates and the use of the compounds as cellular imaging agents are described. The results obtained indicate that these spectrally versatile compounds, which have absorption and emission profiles spanning the visible spectrum, are useful probes for cellular imaging.