DSPE-DBCO

Key Properties

• A functional phospholipid consisting of a DSPE lipid segment and a DBCO (dibenzocyclooctyne) reactive group, usually connected via a short spacer.
• Amphiphilic structure: the hydrophobic DSPE portion stably inserts into lipid bilayers, while the DBCO group is displayed on the surface for bioconjugation.
• Enables copper-free click chemistry via strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) with azide (-N₃) modified molecules under mild, physiological conditions.
• High biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and excellent bilayer stability.
• Practically insoluble in water, soluble in chloroform, methanol, DMSO, and other organic solvents.
• Typically a white to off-white waxy solid or powder.
• Sensitive to light and moisture; recommended storage at −20 °C under inert gas protection.

Applications

• Surface modification of liposomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), micelles, and exosomes for targeted delivery systems.
• Conjugation with azide-functionalized peptides, antibodies, aptamers, and small molecules without copper catalyst.
• Labeling of lipid assemblies with azide-containing fluorescent probes, radionuclides, or imaging agents for in vitro and in vivo tracking.
• Construction of multifunctional theranostic delivery platforms for mRNA, DNA, siRNA, and chemotherapeutic drugs.
• Cell membrane and biomembrane engineering for targeted recognition and imaging.
• Surface functionalization of biomaterials and hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.