Membrane-Bound Molecular Rotors Measure Viscosity in Live Cells via Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

We report intracellular fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and fluorescence anisotropy measurements of two meso-substituted fluorophores based on the boron−dipyrrin (BODIPY) structure. Both dyes incorporate hydrophobic groups, which render them membrane-soluble. We have obtained values for quantum yields, radiative and nonradiative rate constants, fluorescence lifetimes, and time-resolved anisotropy data for the dyes in homogeneous...