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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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FRET Microscopy for Real-time Monitoring of Signaling Events in Live Cells Using Unimolecular Biosensors
Published on: August 20, 2012
A ratiometric FRET sensor regulated by amide naphthotubes via simultaneous spatial confinement and spectral red-shift
Yu-Ke Liu1, Jia-Yao Ren1, Ya-Qing Cui1
1School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China. yanglp@usc.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|July 13, 2026
Summary
A novel ratiometric FRET sensor utilizing amide naphthotubes (NTs) enables sensitive detection and discrimination of six beta-blockers. This sensor operates by analyte displacement, effectively turning off FRET signaling.
Area of Science:
- Chemical sensing
- Nanomaterials
- Fluorescence spectroscopy
Background:
- Developing selective and sensitive sensors is crucial for pharmaceutical analysis.
- Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) based sensors offer high sensitivity but often lack selectivity.
- Amide naphthotubes (NTs) present a unique scaffold for molecular recognition and signal transduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a ratiometric Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) sensor for the detection and discrimination of beta-blockers.
- To utilize amide naphthotubes (NTs) as a core component for enhanced sensor performance.
- To achieve sensitive quantification of analytes in complex biological matrices like serum.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a ratiometric FRET sensor incorporating amide naphthotubes (NTs) and BODIPY donor-acceptor pairs.
- Exploiting spectral overlap changes upon analyte binding to modulate FRET efficiency.
- Utilizing analyte displacement to turn off the FRET signal for quantitative detection.
- Validation of sensor performance in buffer and human serum samples.
Main Results:
- A significant red-shift in the acceptor dye's absorption spectrum upon NT binding was observed, optimizing FRET with the BODIPY donor.
- The FRET signal was effectively quenched by analyte displacement, enabling ratiometric detection.
- Six different beta-blockers were successfully detected with limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.23 to 0.51 µM.
- The sensor demonstrated the ability to discriminate between different beta-blockers in both buffer and serum.
Conclusions:
- The developed amide naphthotube-based FRET sensor provides a sensitive and selective platform for beta-blocker detection.
- The ratiometric nature and analyte displacement mechanism enhance sensor robustness and reliability.
- This sensor shows promise for real-world applications in pharmaceutical analysis and biological fluid monitoring.
