Hyun, HoonPark, Min HoOwens, Eric A.Wada, HideyukiHenary, MagedHandgraaf, Hein J.M.Vahrmeijer, Alexander L.Frangioni, JohnChoi, Hak Soo2015-09-012014Hyun, Hoon, Min Ho Park, Eric A. Owens, Hideyuki Wada, Maged Henary, Hein J.M. Handgraaf, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, John V. Frangioni, and Hak Soo Choi. 2014. “Structure-Inherent Targeting of NIR Fluorophores for Parathyroid and Thyroid Gland Imaging.” Nature medicine 21 (2): 192-197. doi:10.1038/nm.3728. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.3728.1078-8956http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:21462236The typical method for creating targeted contrast agents requires covalent conjugation of separate targeting and fluorophore domains. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible create tissue-specific near-infrared fluorophores using the inherent chemical structure. Thus, a single compact molecule performs both targeting and imaging. We use this strategy to solve a major problem in head/neck surgery, the identification and preservation of parathyroid and thyroid glands. We synthesized 700-nm and 800-nm halogenated fluorophores that show high uptake in the specific glands after a single intravenous injection of only 0.06 mg kg−1 in a pig. Using a dual-channel near-infrared imaging system, we demonstrate the real-time, high-sensitivity, unambiguous identification of parathyroid and thyroid glands simultaneously in the context of blood and surrounding soft tissue. This novel technology lays the foundation for head/neck surgery performed with increased precision and efficiency, and potentially lowers morbidity, and a general strategy for targeted near-infrared fluorophore development.en-USNear-infrared fluorescencetargeted fluorophoreoptical imagingimage-guided surgerysignal-to-background ratioJournal Article2015-09-0110.1038/nm.3728