Near-Infrared Fluorescent Materials for Biological Imaging and Sensing
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 6
Special Issue Editors
2. Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
Interests: fluorescent probes; disease diagnosis; natural products; biosensors; signal transduction
Interests: organic synthesis; heterocyclic chemistry; fluorescent probes; NIR contrast agents; metal sensors; microwave synthesis; biomedical applications; bioanalytical applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Fluorescence imaging has become an indispensable tool in modern biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. However, conventional fluorophores operating in the visible spectrum face fundamental limitations, including limited tissue penetration depth (< 1 mm), high background autofluorescence from biological tissues, significant light scattering, and potential photodamage to living systems. NIR fluorescence (650-1700 nm) offers significant advantages over visible-light imaging, including deeper tissue penetration, minimal autofluorescence, reduced photodamage, and enhanced signal-to-noise ratios. Novel NIR fluorescent materials that overcome current limitations in brightness, photostability, and biocompatibility, ultimately enabling breakthrough applications in disease diagnosis, surgical guidance, and real-time biological monitoring.
We are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue of Molecules on the topic of ‘Near-Infrared Fluorescent Materials for Biological Imaging and Sensing’. This Special Issue aims to capture the latest breakthroughs and provide a platform for comprehensive discussions on the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of NIR fluorescent materials. We seek to highlight interdisciplinary research that bridges chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, and biology to address current challenges and forge new paths in diagnostics, therapy, and fundamental life science discovery.
We cordially invite you to contribute original research articles, timely reviews, and perspective pieces that explore various aspects of this dynamic field. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Novel Material Design: Synthesis of new NIR fluorophores (organic dyes, cyanines, porphyrins), semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots), quantum dots (QDs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), rare-earth-doped nanoparticles (UCNPs, lanthanide NPs), and other emerging nanomaterials.
- Surface Engineering and Bioconjugation: Strategies for enhancing water solubility, colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and functionalization with targeting ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides, aptamers).
- Advanced Applications in Bioimaging: Super-resolution imaging, multiplexed sensing, NIR-II/VIII imaging (1000–1700 nm), lifetime imaging (FLIM), photoacoustic imaging, and image-guided surgery.
- Biosensing and Theranostics: Development of activatable probes (smart probes) for sensing pH, enzymes, ions, or reactive oxygen species; and theranostic platforms that combine diagnosis with photothermal or photodynamic therapy.
- Translational Research: Studies focusing on toxicity assessment, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and preclinical validation of NIR probes in disease models (e.g., cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders).
We look forward to receiving your outstanding contributions and making this Special Issue a valuable resource for the scientific community.
Prof. Dr. Daliang Li
Prof. Dr. Maged Henary
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- near-infrared fluorescent materials
- biological imaging
- material design
- biosensing
- theranostics
- disease diagnosis
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