Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
A Bright NIR-II Fluorescence Probe for Vascular and Tumor Imaging
Published on: March 17, 2023
Activatable fluorescence sensors for in vivo bio-detection in the second near-infrared window
Mengyao Zhao1, Benhao Li1, Hongxin Zhang1
1Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, iChem, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China zhanghx@fudan.edu.cn zhang_fan@fudan.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window has exhibited advantages of high optical resolution at deeper penetration (ca. 5-20 mm) in bio-tissues owing to the reduced photon scattering, absorption and tissue autofluorescence. However, the non-responsive and "always on" sensors lack the ability of selective imaging of lesion areas, leading to the low signal-to-background ratio (SBR) and poor sensitivity during bio-detection. In contrast, activatable sensors show signal variation in fluorescence intensity, spectral wavelength and fluorescence lifetime after responding to the micro-environment stimuli, leading to the high detection sensitivity and reliability in bio-sensing. This minireview summarizes the design and detection ability of recently reported NIR-II activatable sensors. Furthermore, the challenges, opportunities and prospects of NIR-II activatable bio-sensing are also discussed.
