BODIPY-lipids exhibit monomer/excimer fluorescence depending on their molar density in membranes. Specimens labeled with such analogs are excited with blue light and images are acquired at green and red wavelengths. Using such analogs it is possible to distinguish organelles within living cells that contain low concentrations of the lipid(s) and fluoresce green from other structures which contain high concentrations and consequently fluoresce red.

Fig. 1. Sphingomyelin Images

Fig. 2. Ceramide

Fig. 3. Sphingomyelin

Fig. 4. Phosphatidylinositol