Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes that interact reversibly with DNA can display high binding affinities and selectivities as well as interesting photophysical properties. For example, they can function as molecular �light switches� for DNA; in this phenomenon metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) emission is quenched in aqueous media, but intense luminescence occurs on binding to DNA. Thanks to this light-switch effect, complexes developed by the Thomas group, such as 1, are able to be directly imaged in cellulo through luminescence microscopy, where they are observed to target nuclear DNA (Figure 1, Gill et al. Nat. Chem. 2009, 1, 662). Herein we present our current progress in this area, outlining the advantages of using such systems as DNA stains over the commercially available stains and the specific attributes that these complexes possess, including their use as cellular specific imaging agents and their potential as anti-cancer therapeutics.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: <i>In cellulo </i>DNA binding and cytotoxicity

241st National Meeting (2011)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: In cellulo DNA binding and cytotoxicity