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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Molecular Rotors in Living Cells

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Molecular Rotors in Living Cells

Published on: February 9, 2012

Molecular rotors image intracellular viscosity.

Marina K Kuimova¹

¹Chemistry Department, Imperial College, South Kensington SW7 2AZ, London, UK. m.kuimova@imperial.ac.uk

|May 23, 2012

Summary

This study introduces a novel method for measuring microviscosity in live cells using molecular rotors. This technique allows for fast, quantitative imaging of viscosity changes, crucial for understanding cellular processes like photodynamic therapy.

Area of Science:

Cellular biology
Biophysics
Microscopy

Background:

Intracellular microviscosity is a critical parameter influencing cellular functions.
Accurate measurement of microviscosity in live cells is challenging.
Existing methods often lack spatial resolution or speed.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a new method for quantitative measurement and spatial imaging of microviscosity in live cells.
To demonstrate the utility of molecular rotors for viscosity sensing.
To showcase the application of this method in monitoring cellular changes during photodynamic therapy.

Main Methods:

Utilizing synthetic molecules called 'molecular rotors' that respond to environmental viscosity.
Employing fluorescence detection, specifically fluorescence lifetimes and spectra.

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Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Molecular Rotors in Living Cells

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Published on: February 9, 2012

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Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging

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Implementing both lifetime-based and ratiometric molecular rotors for quantitative analysis.

Leveraging fast signal acquisition for ratiometric imaging.

Main Results:

Demonstrated quantitative determination of viscosity using molecular rotors.
Achieved spatial imaging of microviscosity within individual cellular domains.
Successfully monitored rapid changes in intracellular viscosity during photodynamic therapy.
Validated the advantage of fast signal acquisition for dynamic cellular processes.

Conclusions:

The described method provides a powerful tool for real-time, quantitative microviscosity mapping in live cells.
Molecular rotors offer a sensitive and versatile platform for viscosity sensing.
This technique has significant potential for studying cellular dynamics and drug effects, particularly in cancer treatment contexts like photodynamic therapy.