Abstract: The invention relates to conjugates and methods for in vivo imaging of apoptosis using conjugates of fluorochromes and moieties that bind specifically to apoptotic cells. In specific embodiments, the fluorochrome emits fluorescence in the near-infrared range and is conjugated to a moiety, e.g., a protein such as annexin A5 or synaptotagmin, that binds specifically to apoptotic cells. The methods are non-invasive can be used to obtain images of apoptotic cells in the tissues of living animals, e.g., mammals such as humans.