Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the fluorescence of a Cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group characterized by the reduction of the at least one NO2 group to NHOH or NH2 by the action of a nitroreductase. The cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group can be used as a substrate for detecting nitroreductase enzyme activity in a composition and allows for the use of a nitroreductase enzyme in an enzyme-reporter system for the detection of analytes, binding reactions or gene expression.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the fluorescence of a Cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group characterised by the reduction of the at least one NO2 group to NHOH or NH2 by the action of a nitroreductase. The cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group can be used as a substrate for detecting nitroreductase enzyme activity in a composition and allows for the use of a nitroreductase enzyme in an enzyme-reporter system for the detection of analytes, binding reaction or gene expression.

Abstract: Various classes of dyes are provided having acid, ester or amide groups for covalent linking to biomolecules. The dyes may be prepared by use of a compound of formula (I) where R1 comprises a linker and a carboxy including acid, salt, ester including N-hydroxysuccinimide, activated ester or amide group; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are H, C1-C10 alkyl or aralkyl or a group to modify solubility or electronic or spectral properties or a functional linking group: or R4-R5 and/or R2-R4 and/or R2-R3 are linked to form an extended ring system; and R6 is H or CHO or NO.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a dispersion of solid particles of a dye in a gelatin medium which includes the steps of milling the solid dye in the present of a glycerophospholipid dispersant in an aqueous medium and diluting the resulting dispersion with an aqueous solution containing a gelatin. In addition, a photographic element is provided comprising a support having coated thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer and at least one additional gelatin layer that contains a dispersion of solid particles of a dye and a glycerophospholipid dispersant.