Small-molecule fluorescent probes based on covalent assembly strategy for chemoselective bioimaging

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Sensing
• Biomedical Diagnostics

Background:

• Fluorescent probes are crucial for environmental and health analysis.
• Small molecular covalent assembly probes represent a novel class of reaction probes.
• These probes offer advantages like no background interference, significant colorimetric changes, rapid response, high sensitivity, and strong fluorescent signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the recent advancements in covalent assembly probes.
• To classify these probes based on the analytes they detect.
• To detail the detection mechanisms and discuss future perspectives for biomolecular imaging.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent developments in covalent assembly probes.
• Classification of probes by analyte type (anions, metal ions, small biological molecules, ROS, RNS, nerve agent mimics, enzymes).
• Detailed explanation of probe detection mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Significant global contributions in the past decade to the application and mechanism of covalent assembly probes.
• Demonstrated utility in detecting a wide range of analytes.
• Established a foundation for understanding their mechanisms and applications.

Conclusions:

• Covalent assembly probes are a powerful tool in chemical sensing and diagnostics.
• Continued development is expanding their applications, particularly towards in vivo imaging.
• Future research will likely focus on next-generation probes for advanced biomolecular imaging.