Abstract: A composition comprising non-covalent carrier-hapten bioconjugates having the formula: HM-CM wherein HM is a hapten molecule whose molecular weight is generally, but not always, less than 1000 Daltons and is capable of performing specific functions; CM is a carrier molecule, whose molecular weight is generally, but not always, more than 1000 Daltons and is capable of transporting the hapten to a specific site; and the dashed line is a non-covalent bond between the carrier molecule and the hapten molecule. Preferably, the bioconjugates are formed from fluorescent dye haptens such as cyanine, indocyanine, squaraine, porphyrrins, Rose Bengal, and methylene blue dye and carrier molecules such as methylated serum albumin, polyarginine, polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid, cyclodextrin, and inulin. The bioconjugates are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures because they are stable in vitro before being used and stable in vivo during and after use.

Abstract: A method of measuring physiological function of a group of body cells, includes the step of selecting a detectable agent capable of emitting a measurable electromagnetic emission. The agent is introduced into body fluid wich contacts the group of body cells. The emission is measured, and physiological function is determined based on measurement of the emission.

Abstract: Dye-peptide conjugates useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy are disclosed. The dye-peptide conjugates include several cyanine dyes with a variety of bis- and tetrakis(carboxylic acid) homologues. The small size of the compounds allows more favorable delivery to tumor cells as compared to larger molecular weight imaging agents. The various dyes are useful over the range of 350-1300 nm, the exact range being dependent upon the particular dye. Use of dimethylsulfoxide helps to maintain the fluorescence of the compounds. The molecules of the invention are useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy, in endoscopic applications for the detection of tumors and other abnormalities and for localized therapy, for photoacoustic tumor imaging, detection and therapy, and for sonofluorescence tumor imaging, detection and therapy.