Nanomaterial-based activatable imaging probes: from design to biological applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Probes

Background:

• Traditional "always on" imaging probes face limitations in sensitivity and specificity.
• Activatable imaging probes are emerging as a superior alternative, offering signal amplification upon target recognition.
• Nanotechnology advancements have significantly propelled the development of novel activatable probes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the design mechanisms of activatable imaging probes.
• To summarize the biological applications of nanomaterial-based activatable probes reported in the last five years.
• To provide insights into the clinical translation potential of these advanced probes.

Main Methods:

• Focus on design strategies for activatable imaging probes.
• Analysis of recent literature (past five years) on nanomaterial-based probes.
• Categorization of probes based on imaging modalities (fluorescence, MR, photoacoustic).

Main Results:

• Activatable probes demonstrate improved sensitivity and specificity compared to constitutive probes.
• Nanomaterial-based probes exhibit diverse design mechanisms for signal activation.
• The review encompasses fluorescence, MRI, and photoacoustic imaging probes.

Conclusions:

• Activatable imaging probes represent a significant advancement in biomedical imaging.
• Nanomaterial-based activatable probes offer versatile platforms for various imaging applications.
• These probes hold considerable promise for future clinical translation and diagnostics.