Abstract: Water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes are provided herein. In certain cases, the water-soluble dye is a dipyrromethene-boron dye. Embodiments of the subject water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes have a narrow absorption maxima in the yellow green range close to or at the 561 nm laser line, and are suitable for use in tandem dye systems. Embodiments of the subject dyes efficiently transfer energy to an acceptor chromophore while a second dipyrromethene-based dye of the same or different chemical structure is within energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided herein are tandem dyes that include the subject water-soluble dipyrromethene-based dyes, e.g., as donor chromophores. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Water soluble light harvesting multichromophores having a plurality of pendant chromophore groups are provided. Water soluble light harvesting multichromophores according to certain embodiments are polymers that include a polymeric backbone having norbornene repeat units, a pendant water solubilizing group component and a pendant chromophore component. Polymeric tandem dyes based on the subject multichromophores are also provided that further include an acceptor fluorophore linked to a norbornene repeat unit of the polymeric backbone and configured in energy-receiving proximity to at least one pendant donor chromophore group of the light harvesting multichromophore. Also provided are labelled specific binding members that include the subject polymeric tandem dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric tandem dyes find use are also provided.