Recent advances in organic molecule fluorescent probes for microbial imaging

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Chemical Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Pathogenic microorganisms pose significant global health risks, necessitating advanced detection methods.
• Fluorescence imaging provides high specificity and sensitivity for microbial identification.
• Organic small-molecule fluorescent probes represent a key advancement in microbial imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in microbial imaging utilizing organic small-molecule fluorescent probes.
• To highlight design strategies for various fluorophores (e.g., AIE, BODIPY, rhodamine, fluorescein).
• To discuss applications in detecting bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including drug-resistant strains and biofilms.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on organic small-molecule fluorescent probes for microbial imaging.
• Analysis of probe design principles targeting microbial-specific biomarkers (cell walls, enzymes, nucleic acids).
• Examination of imaging mechanisms and applications in various research and diagnostic contexts.

Main Results:

• Various fluorophores (AIE, BODIPY, rhodamine, fluorescein) are effectively employed for microbial imaging.
• Probes targeting specific biomarkers enable high-selectivity imaging of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Applications include detecting drug-resistant bacteria, studying biofilms, and aiding anti-infective drug development.

Conclusions:

• Organic small-molecule fluorescent probes are powerful tools for microbial detection and research.
• Integration with artificial intelligence offers potential for rapid microbial classification.
• These probes hold significant promise for clinical diagnostics and advancing biological research.