About this Research Topic
The past decades have witnessed extensive biological applications of fluorescence microscopy as a powerful tool for the fluorescent detection of important biological species and processes, for biomedical imaging, and for imaging-guided cancer therapy. This is due to the high selectivity, remarkable sensitivity, fast acquisition, and non-invasive properties of the fluorescent materials used. Among these, small molecule-based fluorescent materials have attracted much interest because of their facile synthesis, easy modification and functionality, and predictable and tunable emissions. On the other hand, organic life systems are highly complex and can be represented by massive biological species. Previous researches have shown that abnormalities and dysfunctions in biological systems are closely associated with many biological activities and even severe diseases. Thus, the development of functionalized organic fluorescent materials for biosensing and bioimaging in live samples is of particular importance.
Recently, remarkable progresses have been achieved in in vitro biological detection and imaging based on organic fluorescent materials. However, organic fluorescent materials with strong two-photon (TP) absorption or near-infrared (NIR) emission for visualization of specific biological species, as well as monitoring in deep tissue and live animals, are still in high demand. In addition, specific visualization of important subcellular biological species, like proteins and related biological processes, remains a great challenge. Therefore, the integration of elegant organic synthesis, photophysical characterization, density functional theory, and molecular docking could help to prepare multiple functionalized organic fluorescent materials with strong TP absorption and NIR emission for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo fluorescent detection and imaging.
As such, this Research Topic aims to provide reasonable strategies to synthesize various organic fluorescent materials with versatile functionalities and multicolor emissions, as well as some new insights into their diverse biological applications—especially in biosensing and bioimaging.
In this Research Topic, original research articles, reviews, and perspectives are welcome from multiple disciplines. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:
• Design and synthesis of novel small molecule-based fluorescent materials
• Development of fluorescent bioprobes based on functionalized organic materials
• Fluorescent detection of important biological species (ions, small molecules, maromolecules, etc.) and biological processes
• Two-photon and near-infrared biomedical fluorescence imaging
Recently, remarkable progresses have been achieved in in vitro biological detection and imaging based on organic fluorescent materials. However, organic fluorescent materials with strong two-photon (TP) absorption or near-infrared (NIR) emission for visualization of specific biological species, as well as monitoring in deep tissue and live animals, are still in high demand. In addition, specific visualization of important subcellular biological species, like proteins and related biological processes, remains a great challenge. Therefore, the integration of elegant organic synthesis, photophysical characterization, density functional theory, and molecular docking could help to prepare multiple functionalized organic fluorescent materials with strong TP absorption and NIR emission for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo fluorescent detection and imaging.
As such, this Research Topic aims to provide reasonable strategies to synthesize various organic fluorescent materials with versatile functionalities and multicolor emissions, as well as some new insights into their diverse biological applications—especially in biosensing and bioimaging.
In this Research Topic, original research articles, reviews, and perspectives are welcome from multiple disciplines. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:
• Design and synthesis of novel small molecule-based fluorescent materials
• Development of fluorescent bioprobes based on functionalized organic materials
• Fluorescent detection of important biological species (ions, small molecules, maromolecules, etc.) and biological processes
• Two-photon and near-infrared biomedical fluorescence imaging
Keywords: Organic fluorescent materials, Functionality, Biological application, Fluorescent detection, Fluorescence imaging
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
