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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation

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Fluorogenic Labeling Strategies for Biological Imaging.

Chenge Li^1,2, Alison G Tebo^3,4, Arnaud Gautier^5,6

¹École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Département de Chimie, PASTEUR, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France. chenge.li@ens.fr.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

|July 13, 2017

Summary

This review covers new synthetic fluorogenic probes for labeling proteins and RNA in living cells. These advanced tools enable brighter, more selective imaging for applications like super-resolution microscopy.

Keywords:

RNA labeling fluorogenic probes protein labeling

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Microscopy

Background:

Spatiotemporal fluorescence imaging is crucial for observing biological processes in living systems.
Effective labeling of intracellular biomolecules is essential for high-resolution imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of recent synthetic fluorogenic probe strategies for labeling proteins and RNA.
To highlight the advantages of genetically encoded tags and fluorogenic chromophores for enhanced imaging contrast and selectivity.

Main Methods:

Utilizing genetically encoded tags for selective binding of synthetic molecules.
Employing fluorogenic chromophores that become fluorescent upon binding to their cognate tag.

Main Results:

Achieved strong fluorescence for proteins and RNA using synthetic fluorogenic probes.
Demonstrated high labeling selectivity and imaging contrast by using 'dark' unbound probes.

Conclusions:

These labeling strategies eliminate the need for removing unbound dyes.
Opened new possibilities for advanced imaging techniques, including multiplexed and super-resolution microscopy.