Luminescent Zn (II)-Based Nanoprobes: A Highly Symmetric Supramolecular Platform for Sensing of Biological Targets and Living Cell Imaging

Abstract

Zinc (II) cation is an environmentally friendly metal, less expensive, easy to dispose of, and managed. Highly engineered symmetric systems can be built using zinc (II) atoms as the metal nodes of hybrid organic-inorganic supramolecular structures. In biological contexts, luminescent zinc-based nanoprobes are in growing demand. Specifically, they are currently employed to detect biologically and environmentally relevant analytes, in therapeutic drug delivery, and for bioimaging and diagnostic techniques monitoring aspects of cellular functions. This review will provide a systematic and consequential approach to zinc-based nanoprobes, including zinc-based MOFs and other zinc-based organized nanoparticles. A progression from detecting the biological target to the intracellular sensing/marking/carriage has been followed. A selection of significant cutting-edge articles collected in the last five years has been discussed, based on the structural pattern and sensing performance, with special notice to living cell bioimaging as the most targeted and desirable application.

A Short Review on Synthesis and Applications of Zinc Based Metal Organic Frameworks

“…It was also observed by the authors that ZIF-8 exerted characteristics for topical skin use with low radical production, low skin penetration, low toxicity, high transparency, and high stability. On the basis of obtained results they concluded that ZIF-8 could potentially be a safe and effective sunscreen surrogate for human, and MOFs could be a novel source to develop more effective and safe UV filters A team of Rosita Diana, Lucia Sessa, Simona Concilio, Stefano Piotto and Barbara Panunzi [59], were also reported luminescent Zn (II)-based nanoprobe, which is a highly symmetric supramolecular platform for sensing of biological targets and living cell imaging. Cheng, Jiapeng et al [60], reported the synthesis of stable zinc-MOF materials by using fluorenone carboxylate ligand and expressed multifunctional detection and photocatalysis degradation property.…”

A Water Soluble 2-Phenyl-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole Based Probe: Antimicrobial Activity and Colorimetric/Fluorescence pH Response

“…Optical probes offer in situ observation, real-time and fast-response monitoring, sensitivity, selectivity [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], and even by the non-invasive approach required for living tissues [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Colorimetric/fluorescent tools revolutionized the ability to probe biological dynamics at the cellular level on several platforms: small-molecule dyes, metal complexes, and fluorescent proteins [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”