A Theme Issue in Honor of Dr. Richard Horobin—Cell or Organelle Selective Fluorescent Probes: Their Design, Mechanism, Modeling and Application
A special issue of Chemosensors (ISSN 2227-9040). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Chemical Sensors".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 54487
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cell selective fluorescent probes and sensors
Interests: activity based chemosensors and fluorescent probes for environmental monitoring and cellular imaging
Interests: fluorescence imaging; small-molecule fluorescent probe; nanoprobe; accurate diagnosis; organic synthesis
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Dr. Richard W. Horobin is the pioneer of QSAR modelling of organelle selectivity of dyes in cell staining. After a PhD apprenticeship in chemistry at the University of Sheffield, England, he jumped ship—being re-socialised as a cell biologist in Prof Robert Barer’s multidisciplinary microscopy development group. His task was to produce novel “stains”—substances giving visual contrast to biological materials being viewed in microscopes. Initially this concerned non-living biopsies, and electron or light microscopes. Consequently, he became involved with dyestuff chemistry, which enthusiasm has proved lifelong. Finally, he arrived at small-molecule fluorescent probes used to report on the structure, content and functions of living cells and organisms. That his knowledge and skills base were not confined to a single academic compartment now became significant. Typically, chemists consider probe chemistry, biologists cell structure and physiology—very few study the details of probe-cell interactions, even fewer the implications for staining protocols. His fascination with staining processes led to QSAR models relating probe structure to cellular sites of probe accumulation, and eventually to accumulation models for all common cell organelles. In parallel, he clarified and emphasised the role of “protocol effects”—factors such as probe purity; probe stability outside or inside the cell; choice of excitation and emission wavelengths; and other technical variables influencing what occurs and can be observed. These perspectives did not emerge from a social vacuum. Richard Horobin’s life in science has not tracked the conventional academic career, instead he became a player in a globally distributed invisible college. Key to his achievements are collaborators across disciples, from anatomy to zoology; and organisations with expertise regarding purity, application and understanding of dyes and their interactions. Hence his involvement with the Biological Stain Commission, the Royal Microscopical Society, and the Society of Dyers and Colourists. Plus smart, hard-working and critical students—working directly with him or with his collaborators—doing much leg-work and challenging many assumptions. Finally, research workers who ask “Why isn’t this method working?” or “What is the best probe to identify organelle Z?” This combination of viewpoints provided the foundation of his long, post-conventional, research life. For more than two decades he has been an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, presently in the Chemical Biology Group in the School of Chemistry. His current investigation seeks to understand probes selectively staining lipid droplets in living cells—and hence to obtain a general protocol for designing an optimum probe for the job.
This special issue is dedicated to celebrating the career of Dr. Richard Horobin in honour of his contribution in the field of cell staining dyes. It will cover recent research on subjects of cell selective and organelle selective dyes in their design, mechanism, modelling and application.
Cell and organelle selective probes, especially for live cells, provide the window to look at the inside of body in real time. The probes are playing the critical roles to monitor the biological system and also provide the clues to understand and elucidate new mechanism of biological process. This special issue aims to provide an overview and current development in the field of cell and organelle probes. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Reviews on selective probes for organelle visualization or cell distinction
- Innovations of new sensor and probe development for biological study
- New design of optical sensor and bioprobes
- QSAR prediction model for organelle or cell selectivity
- Application of sensor and probes in biological study
Prof. Dr. Young-Tae Chang
Dr. Animesh Samanta
Prof. Dr. Dongdong Su
Guest Editors
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