Molecular Imaging and Fluorescent Probes

Our research interest on bioimaging has focused recently on developing fluorescent probes capable of quantitative analysis for Mn²⁺. Such probes allow real-time imaging with subcellular resolution. Manganese is an essential metal in biological systems, however, it has proven to be very challenging to assay using fluorescent probes. One challenge is the interference from Ca²⁺, which is abundant in cell (up to high μM) and shares many properties with Mn²⁺. The other challenge is the false positive caused by accumulation of probes.

We developed an “off-on” fluorescent probe for Mn²⁺ that discriminates Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺, however, the second challenge remains unsolved. To address the false positive problem, we are currently working on ratiometric fluorescent probe for Mn²⁺.

Reading list:

1. Carter, K.P., Young, A.M. & Palmer, A.E. Fluorescent sensors for measuring metal ions in living systems. Rev. 114, 4564-4601 (2014).
2. Liang, J.A. & Canary, J.W. Discrimination between hard metals with soft ligand donor atoms: An on-fluorescence probe for Manganese(II). Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 7710-7713 (2010).