A NIR death experience: A highly photostable NIR protein-labeling dye (CyNE790) that maintained excellent fluorescent properties after protein conjugation has been synthesized. Furthermore, the adequacy of the dye for NIR imaging was confirmed by showing that the recognition properties of a labeled anti-EGFR antibody remained unaffected. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.