Multi-analyte responsive luminescent probes for the detection of biochemical targets in cell models

Luminescence has found wide application in biology, biotechnology and medicine. Particularly, fluorescent and bioluminescent probes allow visualization of molecular targets at the cellular level and even macromolecules or single small-molecule analytes. Among the most reliable tools for visualization of molecular targets are so-called responsive probes, which change the intensity and colour of the emitted signal after interaction with a molecular target. The majority of such probes allow detection of a single analyte. Meanwhile, most of the processes in the human body involve multiple elements. To better understand these mechanisms, it is possible to use several responsive probes simultaneously. However, this poses a risk of their different uptake by cells or different metabolism. In order to provide a more reliable response, so-called multi-analyte and multi-responsive probes are being developed. Examples of such probes will be discussed in the article, divided based on their response mechanism and detected changes within the cell.