Fluorescence quenchers are a class of compounds that have the ability to suppress or reduce the fluorescence emitted by a fluorophore. These molecules work by absorbing the energy that is released when a fluorophore emits light, thereby deactivating the excited state of the fluorophore and preventing further emission of light.
Fluorescence quenchers are commonly used in a variety of applications, including fluorescence-based assays, molecular imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. In these applications, fluorescence quenchers are often used as probes to monitor biological processes, detect the presence of specific molecules or ions, or to visualize specific structures or tissues.
There are several different types of fluorescence quenchers, including organic molecules, transition metal ions, and nanoparticles. Each type of quencher has unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications. For example, some quenchers may be more effective at quenching specific fluorophores or may have a greater sensitivity to changes in the local environment.