Fluorescent Sensing Techniques for Adenosine Triphosphate Detection

Fluorescent sensing techniques for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection have evolved into a versatile suite of tools that combine molecular recognition with optical signal transduction. At their core, these approaches employ tailored receptors—ranging from small organic molecules and metal–ligand complexes to conjugated polymers and supramolecular assemblies—that bind ATP through a combination of electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions. Upon binding, these receptors undergo photophysical changes such as turn-on fluorescence, shifts in emission wavelength or alterations in intensity ratios, enabling quantitative and real-time monitoring of ATP in complex media. Ratiometric probes exploit dual emission bands or Förster resonance energy transfer to correct for environmental variables and improve quantification accuracy. Advances in probe design have led to fluorescent sensors with nanomolar sensitivity, high selectivity against ADP and other nucleotides, fast response times and excellent biocompatibility. Applications span in vitro assays of kinase and enzyme activity, live-cell imaging of cellular energy dynamics and in vivo studies in model organisms. These techniques have profound implications for elucidating bioenergetic processes, diagnosing metabolic disorders and screening for therapeutic agents.

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Fluorescent Sensing Techniques for Adenosine Triphosphate Detection publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in fluorescent sensing techniques for adenosine triphosphate detection across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Fluorescent probe: A molecule that emits light upon excitation and whose emission properties change upon binding a specific analyte.

Ratiometric detection: A sensing strategy that measures the ratio of fluorescence intensities at two wavelengths to correct for environmental and instrumental variations.

Monomer–excimer equilibrium: A photophysical process in which fluorophore monomers and bound dimers (exciplexes or excimers) emit at different wavelengths, enabling ratiometric reporting.

Turn-on fluorescence: A sensing mechanism in which the presence of the target analyte triggers an increase or “switch-on” of fluorescence signal.

Supramolecular recognition: Non-covalent binding interactions—such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatics and π–π stacking—between a host receptor and a guest molecule like ATP.

References

1. Multifunctional Fluorescent Probe for Simultaneous Detection of ATP, Cys, Hcy, and GSH: Advancing Insights into Epilepsy and Liver Injury. Advanced Science (2025).
2. Anion Receptors for the Discrimination of ATP and ADP in Biological Media. ChemPlusChem (2020).
3. Ratiometric Detection of ATP by Fluorescent Cyclophanes with Bellows‐Type Sensing Mechanism. Chemistry - A European Journal (2020).