Probing the biomolecular target of near infrared nerve-specific fluorophores

Iatrogenic nerve damage is a feared surgical complication that leaves patients with pain and loss of function. Fluorescence Guided Surgery (FGS) is a promising technology that has the potential to improve surgery, but requires tissue- and disease-specific contrast to wield its full power. Our team has developed first-in-class near-infrared (NIR) nerve-specific fluorophores designed to integrate with the existing FGS clinical system infrastructure. Herein we report ongoing efforts to elucidate the biomolecular target(s) of these agents to inform medicinal chemistry design for novel compounds and to expand their utility in diverse imaging capabilities and medical applications.