FLUORESCENT LABELING COMPLEXES WITH LARGE STOKES' SHIFTS FORMED BY COUPLING TOGETHER CYANINE AND OTHER FLUOROCHROMES CAPABLE OF RESONANCE ENERGY TRANSFER

The present invention provides low molecular weight fluorescent labelling complexes with large wavelength shifts between absorption of one dye in the complex and emission from another dye in the complex. These complexes can be used, for example, for multiparameter fluorescence cell analysis using a single excitation wavelength. The low molecular weight of the complex permits materials labelled with the complex to penetrate cell structures for use as probes. The labelling complexes are synthesised by covalently attaching through linkers to form donor-acceptor complexes. Resonance energy transfer from an excited don or to fluorescent acceptor provides wavelength shifts up to 300nm. The fluorescent labelling complexes preferably contain reactive groups for the labelling of functional groups on target compounds, such as derivatised oxy and deoxy polynucleic acids, antibodies, enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and other materials. The complexes may contain functional groups permitting covalent reaction with materials containing reactive groups.