Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Liam Adair, Elizabeth J. New
Summary: Small-molecule fluorophores are versatile tools for studying cellular architecture and biological processes. However, their application in vivo faces challenges such as biocompatibility, chemostability, photostability, and light penetration. Recent advances in designing fluorophores with improved properties and functionalization with targeting and sensing groups have allowed the development of in vivo fluorogenic, ratiometric, and reversible sensors.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Guannan Liu, Huanlong Zheng, Ri Zhou, Huaiyu Li, Jianan Dai, Jinbei Wei, Di Li, Xing Meng, Chenguang Wang, Geyu Lu
Summary: In this study, a novel organic fluorescent probe Lipi-Bright was developed based on bridged cyclization of distyrylbenzene, which showed high photostability and excellent staining specificity and fluorescence brightness for lipid droplets (LDs). Using the probe, the dynamics of LDs were quantitatively studied, revealing that cytosolic LDs have faster motion velocity than nuclear LDs, and both could be influenced by various stimulations.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guannan Liu, Jianan Dai, Ri Zhou, Guishan Peng, Chenguang Wang, Xu Yan, Xiaoteng Jia, Xiaomin Liu, Yuan Gao, Lijun Wang, Geyu Lu
Summary: A novel fluorescent probe named SO2-DSB has been reported for STED nanoscopy imaging of cellular lipid droplets, achieving high resolutions significantly higher than common confocal images. The probe exhibits high photostability and large Stokes shift, demonstrating its ability in both STED and confocal microscopy.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Peiyao Xie, Jianfei Liu, Xiaopeng Yang, Weimin Zhu, Yong Ye
Summary: This study developed a novel fluorescent probe, TPA-SO2, which can detect both the polarity and SO2 of lipid droplets. The probe exhibited sensitivity to polarity decrease and SO2 and specifically targeted cellular lipid droplets.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guannan Liu, Huanlong Zheng, Jianan Dai, Huaiyu Li, Ri Zhou, Chenguang Wang, Yuan Gao, Lijun Wang, Peng Sun, Fangmeng Liu, Geyu Lu
Summary: Ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of cell death regulation, is closely related to cellular lipid droplets (LDs) through an iron-dependent accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species. However, the use of traditional fluorescent probes is limited by their insufficient photostability and low LDs specificity, making it challenging to visualize LDs during the ferroptosis process in a long-term, in-situ, and real-time manner. In this study, a new LDs fluorescent probe called Lipi-EP was developed, featuring excellent photostability and high LDs specificity. The probe outperformed representative LDs probes BODIPY and Nile Red in terms of photostability and LDs specificity. Time-lapse multicolor imaging and time-lapse three-dimensional imaging using this new probe successfully monitored LDs changes during the ferroptosis process for up to 6 hours, allowing impressive visualization of morphological changes in cellular organelles (LDs, mitochondria, and nucleus) and variations in LDs spatial distribution. Additionally, the sizes and numbers of LDs were determined based on the imaging. This work provides valuable information on LDs and will significantly advance the study of LDs during ferroptosis.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Annabell Martin, Pablo Rivera-Fuentes
Summary: Fluorescence imaging is an important tool for studying biological processes, and the development of advanced fluorogenic probes is crucial for further progress. This study presents a general strategy to transform polymethine compounds into fluorogenic dyes, resulting in bright and red-shifted fluorescent dyes with wavelengths more red-shifted than existing ones.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Qilong Zhang, Shuxian Yang, Zhiyuan Wang, Juan Li, Minggang Tian, Gengxiu Zheng
Summary: Fluorescent probes with significant spectral differences were developed to label lipid droplets and lysosomes, enabling the visualization of their interaction and interplay. The probes were based on the pH-dependent reversible intramolecular cyclization reaction of spiropyran, resulting in a spectral shift up to 290 nm.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
He Tian, Adam C. Sedgwick, Hai-Hao Han, Sajal Sen, Guo-Rong Chen, Yi Zang, Jonathan L. Sessler, Tony D. James, Jia Li, Xiao-Peng He
Summary: Lipid droplets (LDs) are essential organelles for lipid and energy homeostasis. Despite progress in understanding LDs, there are still many fundamental questions unanswered. Effective imaging agents can help bridge the knowledge gap and facilitate the development of new therapeutics.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guannan Liu, Guishan Peng, Jianan Dai, Ri Zhou, Chenguang Wang, Xu Yan, Xiaoteng Jia, Xiaomin Liu, Yuan Gao, Lijun Wang, Geyu Lu
Summary: The newly developed Lipi-BDTO molecule fluorescent probe achieves a high resolution of 65 nm in STED imaging with high photostability. This probe not only allows monitoring of LDs dynamics but also visualizes the 3D spatial distribution of LDs through 3D STED imaging.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deepmala Singh, Ramprasad Regar, Pushpanjali Soppina, Virupakshi Soppina, Sriram Kanvah
Summary: In this study, fluorescent probes were used to investigate the morphology and physiological interactions of lipid droplets. The probes demonstrated excellent localization and environmental sensitivity, making them effective tools for live-cell imaging. The synthesized fluorophores showed low cytotoxicity and were successfully used to study changes in viscosity within the lipid droplets. Additionally, the probes were also able to image lipid droplets in multi-cellular animal models.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamal Jouad, Svetlana V. Eliseeva, Guillaume Collet, Cyril Colas, David Da Silva, Marie-Aude Hiebel, Nabil El Brahmi, Mohamed Akssira, Stephane Petoud, Said El Kazzouli, Franck Suzenet
Summary: There is a high demand for versatile near-infrared (NIR) imaging agents suitable for non-invasive optical imaging in living organisms. This study presents the creation of a family of NIR-emitting macromolecules that take advantage of the unique structure of dendrimers. The results indicate that these macromolecules have potential applications in various biological environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Keng-Fang Hsu, Shih-Po Su, Hsiu-Feng Lu, Ming-Ho Liu, Yuan Jay Chang, Yi-Jang Lee, Huihua Kenny Chiang, Chao-Ping Hsu, Chin-Wei Lu, Yang-Hsiang Chan
Summary: The study presents the design of NIR-II emissive semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) incorporated with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) moieties, which exhibit emission maxima of 1064-1100 nm and fluorescence quantum yields of 0.40-1.58% in aqueous solutions. By conducting density-functional theory calculations, the researchers gain a better understanding of how the TADF units affect the molecular packing and resulting optical properties of Pdots. In vivo 3D bone imaging in mice demonstrates the promising applications of these Pdots.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Atanas Kurutos, Yutaka Shindo, Yuki Hiruta, Kotaro Oka, Daniel Citterio
Summary: This paper describes the design, synthesis, and bio-applicability of a series of near-infrared molecular probes with tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties. These probes exhibit superior performance in terms of fluorescence quantum yield, brightness, and photostability compared to commercial probes. They also show improved staining capability in fluorescence imaging and cellular applications.
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Wei Quan, Wenhui Song, Qian Zhang, Huawei Huang, Weiying Lin
Summary: The liver, as the metabolic and detoxification center, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Normal liver function is crucial for maintaining overall health, while abnormal liver function can lead to liver diseases. Early diagnosis of liver diseases is essential for timely treatment. The use of fluorescent probes for detecting biomarkers of liver diseases has provided valuable insights for pathological studies, drug development, and disease diagnosis and treatment in recent years. This review summarizes the progress of fluorescence probes in detecting hepatopathy-related biomarkers and discusses the current challenges and future directions. The development of long wavelength probes, multi-detection probes, quantitative analysis probes, and multi-modal probes is expected to be a popular trend. This review aims to facilitate the development of novel fluorescent probes for disease detection and provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sachin B. Wagh, Vladimir A. Maslivetc, James J. La Clair, Alexander Kornienko
Summary: Fluorescent probes are widely used in various fields, and the development of new experimental designs has facilitated innovation in probe discovery methods.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haoqiang Bao, Wang Wang, Xu Li, Xiaomin Liu, Ling Zhang, Xu Yan, Yinghui Wang, Chenguang Wang, Xiaoteng Jia, Peng Sun, Xianggui Kong, Hong Zhang, Geyu Lu
Summary: This study investigates the effect of interfacial stress on upconversion luminescence by studying doped nanocomplex materials under high pressure conditions. The results show that external pressure and interface stress enhance the coupling between dopant ions, leading to a attenuation of green upconversion emission. This discovery opens up a new horizon for understanding the impact of pressure on optical properties.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Meiling Zhang, Jialin Pan, Xiaoyu Xu, Gege Fu, Li Zhang, Peng Sun, Xu Yan, Fangmeng Liu, Chenguang Wang, Xiaomin Liu, Geyu Lu
Summary: A cost-effective and highly reproducible capillary-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform for sensitive, portable detection and identification of fentanyl is presented. The platform shows good reproducibility and low detection limit, indicating its potential application in trace analysis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Dandan Su, Hongxia Li, Ri Zhou, Lianjing Zhao, Aixin Li, Xiaomin Liu, Chenguang Wang, Xiaoteng Jia, Fangmeng Liu, Peng Sun, Xu Yan, Chengzhou Zhu, Geyu Lu
Summary: This study presents the synthesis of biomacromolecule-assembled hierarchical hybrid nanoarchitectures, which achieve biorecognition and signal amplification while improving stability and bioactivity. These nanoarchitectures have great potential in constructing ultrasensitive immunoassay platforms.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Hongxia Li, Xu Yan, Deshuai Kong, Dandan Su, Fangmeng Liu, Peng Sun, Xiaomin Liu, Chenguang Wang, Xiaoteng Jia, Geyu Lu
Summary: In this study, a new immunoprobe was designed by integrating a biometric unit and a signal amplification element via biomineralization, resulting in a dual-functional nanoflower. The nanoflower exhibited high stability and antibody recognition ability, and showed a lower detection concentration in fluorogenic immunoassay.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoteng Jia, Xuenan Ma, Li Zhao, Meiying Xin, Yulei Hao, Peng Sun, Chenguang Wang, Danming Chao, Fangmeng Liu, Caiyun Wang, Geyu Lu, Gordon Wallace
Summary: Implanted rechargeable batteries with biodegradable properties are highly desirable, but limited by the lack of suitable electrode materials. In this study, we present a molecular engineering strategy to develop erodible poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with hydrolyzable carboxylic acid pendants. The compact rechargeable Zn battery with this material demonstrates high capacity and cycling stability, and shows complete biodegradation and biocompatibility in vivo. This strategy offers potential for developing implantable conducting polymers with predetermined degradation profiles and high energy storage capability.
Article
Biophysics
Jianan Dai, Zihan Wu, Di Li, Guishan Peng, Guannan Liu, Ri Zhou, Chenguang Wang, Xu Yan, Fangmeng Liu, Peng Sun, Ji Zhou, Geyu Lu
Summary: A new fluorescent probe called Lipi-Deep Red has been developed for super-resolution imaging of lipid droplets (LDs), allowing for visualization and study of LDs dynamics and interaction with mitochondria at the nanoscale level. This probe offers strong deep red/NIR emission, high LDs specificity, and excellent photostability, enabling precise monitoring and visualization of LD fusion processes and the discovery of two contact models between LDs and mitochondria.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Liupeng Zhao, Xueqin Gong, Wei Tao, Tianshuang Wang, Xiaomin Liu, Fangmeng Liu, Xu Yan, Chenguang Wang, Peng Sun, Geyu Lu
Summary: The challenge of low-valence cation doping in SnO2 materials lies in the detrimental effect of sharply elevated baseline resistance on sensor stability and signal acquisition. However, homovalent doping has little impact on resistance but the effective dopant is scarce. It has been found that the non-metallic element Se readily forms cationic SeSn defects in SnO2, improving sensitivity of SnO2-based sensors with a moderate increase in baseline resistance. The sensitivity enhancement is attributed to the higher activity of adsorbed oxygen on the surface of Se-doped SnO2, allowing for sufficient sensing-reactions and charge transfer at high temperatures.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tianshuang Wang, Peng Sun, Ke Chen, Yueru Jiang, Wei Tao, Fangmeng Liu, Chenguang Wang, Xu Yan, Geyu Lu
Summary: In this study, core-shell In2O3@ZnO n-n heterostructures were successfully synthesized by depositing ZIF-8 derivative onto wrinkled In2O3 spheres. The control of ZnO shell thickness was achieved by controlling the MOF growth time. The formation of n-n heterojunction at the core-shell interface allowed for the tuning of shell thickness, leading to the control of free charge carrier concentration and improving the gas sensing performance of the sensor.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guannan Liu, Huanlong Zheng, Jianan Dai, Huaiyu Li, Ri Zhou, Chenguang Wang, Yuan Gao, Lijun Wang, Peng Sun, Fangmeng Liu, Geyu Lu
Summary: Ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of cell death regulation, is closely related to cellular lipid droplets (LDs) through an iron-dependent accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species. However, the use of traditional fluorescent probes is limited by their insufficient photostability and low LDs specificity, making it challenging to visualize LDs during the ferroptosis process in a long-term, in-situ, and real-time manner. In this study, a new LDs fluorescent probe called Lipi-EP was developed, featuring excellent photostability and high LDs specificity. The probe outperformed representative LDs probes BODIPY and Nile Red in terms of photostability and LDs specificity. Time-lapse multicolor imaging and time-lapse three-dimensional imaging using this new probe successfully monitored LDs changes during the ferroptosis process for up to 6 hours, allowing impressive visualization of morphological changes in cellular organelles (LDs, mitochondria, and nucleus) and variations in LDs spatial distribution. Additionally, the sizes and numbers of LDs were determined based on the imaging. This work provides valuable information on LDs and will significantly advance the study of LDs during ferroptosis.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jianan Dai, Shuo Qi, Meng Zhao, Jing Liu, Tao Jia, Guannan Liu, Fangmeng Liu, Peng Sun, Bo Li, Chenguang Wang, Ji Zhou, Geyu Lu
Summary: Organic photothermal materials, especially the donor-acceptor (D-A) type ones, have attracted attention for their efficient conversion of solar energy to heat. However, how to quench the fluorescence of D-A molecules and maximize the solar-thermal conversion efficiency has been rarely studied. This study proposes a new design strategy by creating a unique twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) excitation state for D-A molecules. Experimental and theoretical results show that the designed molecules have a strong tendency to form TICT state, and the stronger donor/acceptor moieties promote the TICT-based non-radiative decay process. The target molecule, GTPA-BTO-Py+, is non-fluorescent and can efficiently convert absorbed solar energy to heat with a high solar-thermal conversion efficiency of 20.5%. The utility of GTPA-BTO-Py+ as a highly efficient photothermal material is demonstrated through water evaporation and thermoelectric generation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ri Zhou, Guannan Liu, Di Li, Tianshuang Wang, Xu Yan, Fangmeng Liu, Peng Sun, Chenguang Wang, Geyu Lu
Summary: An advanced organic fluorescent probe Lipi-DSBOMe has been developed for multimodal fluorescence imaging of lipid droplets (LDs), which provides abundant information about LDs and promotes LDs biology studies.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Meiling Zhang, Yang Lu, Li Zhang, Xiaoyu Xu, Bai Li, Xu Zhao, Xu Yan, Chenguang Wang, Peng Sun, Xiaomin Liu, Geyu Lu
Summary: A wearable and flexible glove-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor was developed for on-site detection of tramadol and midazolam and accurate identification of methamphetamine. The sensor showed good flexibility and reproducibility, and enabled trace detection of the target substances in serum with low limits of detection. The sensor also demonstrated accurate identification of methamphetamine in complex mixtures, providing a basis for the development of easy-to-use wearable SERS sensors.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yexi Li, Jianan Dai, Song Yang, Ning Sui, Chenguang Wang, Xiangdong Meng, Kai Wang, Hanzhuang Zhang, Xiaomin Liu, Geyu Lu, Yinghui Wang
Summary: A novel molecular SO2-Bri-DSB based on the sulfone-bridged distyrylbenzene derivative is synthesized, and its organic crystal is fabricated. The high photoluminescence quantum efficiency in both solution and crystalline state, as well as the detailed PL mechanism, is investigated. The optical anisotropy of the SO2-Bri-DSB crystal is thoroughly studied using various spectroscopy techniques. The findings reveal the time and space evolution of the optical anisotropy and suggest the potential applications of these materials in polarization lighting and display.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Guannan Liu, Huanlong Zheng, Ri Zhou, Huaiyu Li, Jianan Dai, Jinbei Wei, Di Li, Xing Meng, Chenguang Wang, Geyu Lu
Summary: In this study, a novel organic fluorescent probe Lipi-Bright was developed based on bridged cyclization of distyrylbenzene, which showed high photostability and excellent staining specificity and fluorescence brightness for lipid droplets (LDs). Using the probe, the dynamics of LDs were quantitatively studied, revealing that cytosolic LDs have faster motion velocity than nuclear LDs, and both could be influenced by various stimulations.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Fu Gege, Lu Yang, Pan Jialin, Li Xu, Wang Chenguang, Liu Xiaomin, Lu Geyu
Summary: In this study, a two-dimensional Ti3C2 (MXene)-based nanoreagent for synergistic photothermal chemotherapy treatment was constructed. The nanoreagent showed high photothermal conversion efficiency and stability, making it suitable for cancer treatment. In cell experiments, the nanoreagent exhibited good inhibitory effects on tumor cells.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF LASERS-ZHONGGUO JIGUANG
(2023)
