Nonaromatic and nonconjugated fluorescent materials are promising for in vivo uses, but usually have low fluorescence quantum yields and limited responsiveness. Here, the authors report a polycysteine derived from natural amino acids that displays intrinsic fluorescence, color switching properties and applicability as a drug-free and self-reporting system for the theragnosis of osteoarthritis.
- Chuan Peng
- Yuling Zhu
- Mingming Ding
