Bioimaging of Stem Cells, Live Tissue, and Whole Animals Using Diversity-Oriented Fluorescence Library Approach

Embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) hold a tremendous potential for biomedical research. However, their application in areas such as regenerative medicine or drug discovery is hindered by their heterogeneity and differentiation. Hence, the development of selective probes for the detection and isolation of stem cells is of great interest. We have employed combinatorial chemistry to develop several diversity-oriented fluorescence libraries and successfully applied them for ESC and iPSC imaging probe, compound of designation yellow 1 (CDy1). In further characterization of the fluorescent probe in iPSC, we found CDy1 can detect the iPS-forming cells much earlier than Oct4-GFP (green fluorescent protein) reporter. Thus, this new tool will allow us to study the early stage events of the cell destiny changes from somatic cell to iPS. Considering the possible connection of primo vascular system (PVS) to stem cells, CDy1 may serve as a new probe for PVS study.