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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Bioluminescent Bacterial Imaging In Vivo
Published on: November 4, 2012
Advances in bioluminescence imaging: new probes from old recipes
Zi Yao1, Brendan S Zhang1, Jennifer A Prescher2
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Abstract:
Bioluminescent probes are powerful tools for visualizing biology in live tissues and whole animals. Recent years have seen a surge in the number of new luciferases, luciferins, and related tools available for bioluminescence imaging. Many were crafted using classic methods of optical probe design and engineering. Here we highlight recent advances in bioluminescent tool discovery and development, along with applications of the probes in cells, tissues, and organisms. Collectively, these tools are improving in vivo imaging capabilities and bolstering new research directions.
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