A water-soluble, long fluorescent lifetime DNA probe for real-time dynamic visualization of mitosis in live cells and applicability for FLIM/time-gated imaging

and the mechanism of binding interactions was investigated using CD spectroscopy. The long fluorescence lifetime and excellent biocompatibility of Nuc-DAOTA+ enabled its use for real-time dynamic imaging of mitotic phases and interphase in live CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells by using confocal microscopy. In addition, the Nuc-DAOTA+ exhibited high photostability during photo-bleaching experiments and was successfully applied for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and time gated imaging of the mouse embryonic fibroblast 3T3 cell line.