Fluorescent Probes for Redox Biomolecule Detection in Live Cells
Summary
Fluorescent probes have become indispensable tools for visualising and quantifying redox biomolecules within living cells, offering high spatial and temporal resolution with minimal invasiveness. These synthetic or genetically encoded sensors undergo specific chemical or enzymatic reactions with target species—such as hydrogen peroxide, glutathione and other reactive oxygen or nitrogen intermediates—resulting in changes in their emission properties. Strategies include intensometric probes, which display a change in signal intensity, and ratiometric probes, which shift emission wavelengths to provide built-in calibration against environmental artefacts. Advanced designs employ two-photon or near-infrared excitation to achieve deep-tissue penetration and reduced phototoxicity, while targeting motifs ensure subcellular localisation, for example to mitochondria or the endoplasmic reticulum. Applications span fundamental studies of oxidative signalling, elucidation of pathological redox imbalances in cancer or neurodegeneration, and high-throughput drug screening. Challenges remain in enhancing selectivity amid complex redox networks, improving photostability and minimising background fluorescence. Future directions point towards multiplexed probes for simultaneous detection of multiple species, integration with super-resolution microscopy and translation to in vivo models for real-time monitoring of oxidative processes in physiology and disease.
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Fluorescent Probes for Redox Biomolecule Detection in Live Cells publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in fluorescent probes for redox biomolecule detection in live cells across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen, including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, involved in cell signalling and oxidative stress.
Ratiometric probe: A fluorescent sensor that emits at two wavelengths, allowing the ratio of emissions to correct for probe concentration and environmental factors.
Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence: Emission in the 650–900 nm range, enabling deeper tissue penetration and reduced background from biological autofluorescence.
Autofluorescence: Natural emission of light by endogenous biomolecules (e.g. NADH, FAD) when excited, used to study metabolic and redox states without added dyes.
References
- Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for Detecting Several Abnormally Expressed Substances in Tumors. Micromachines (2022).
- Evaluation of functioning of mitochondrial electron transport chain with NADH and FAD autofluorescence. The Ukrainian Biochemical Journal (2016).
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