Jonathan L. Sessler

Quantitative determination of specific analytes is essential for a variety of applications ranging from life sciences to environmental monitoring. Optical sensing allows non-invasive measurements within biological milieus, parallel monitoring of multiple samples, and less invasive imaging. Among the optical sensing methods currently being explored, ratiometric fluorescence sensing has received particular attention as a technique with the potential to provide precise and quantitative analyses. Among its advantages are high sensitivity and inherent reliability, which reflect the self-calibration provided by monitoring two (or more) emissions. A wide variety of ratiometric sensing probes using small fluorescent molecules have been developed for sensing, imaging, and biomedical applications. In this research highlight, we provide an overview of the design principles underlying small fluorescent probes that have been applied to the ratiometric detection of various analytes, including cations, anions, and biomolecules in solution and in biological samples. This highlight is designed to be illustrative, not comprehensive.

Over the last decade, organic photothermal therapy (PTT) agents have attracted increasing attention as a potential complement for, or alternative to, classical drugs and sensitizers involving inorganic nanomaterials. In this tutorial review, we provide a structured description of the main classes of organic photothermal agents and their characteristics. Representative agents that have been studied in the context of photothermal therapy since 2000 are summarized and recent advances in using PTT agents to address various cancers indications are highlighted.

In this review we will explore recent advances in the design and application of excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) based fluorescent probes. Fluorescence based sensors and imaging agents (probes) are important in biology, physiology, pharmacology, and environmental science for the selective detection of biologically and/or environmentally important species. The development of ESIPT-based fluorescence probes is particularly attractive due to their unique properties, which include a large Stokes shift, environmental sensitivity and potential for ratiometric sensing.

Anion recognition plays a critical role in a range of biological processes, and a variety of receptors and carriers can be found throughout the natural world. Chemists working in the area of supramolecular chemistry have created a range of anion receptors, drawing inspiration from nature as well as their own inventive processes. This book traces the origins of anion recognition chemistry as a unique sub-field in supramolecular chemistry while illustrating the basic approaches currently being used to effect receptor design. The combination of biological overview and summary of current synthetic approaches provides a coverage that is both comprehensive and comprehensible. First, the authors detail the key design motifs that have been used to generate synthetic receptors and which are likely to provide the basis for further developments. They also highlight briefly some of the features that are present in naturally occurring anion recognition and transport systems and summarise the applications of anion recognition chemistry. Providing as it does a detailed review for practitioners in the field and a concise introduction to the topic for newcomers, Anion Receptor Chemistry reflects the current state of the art. Fully referenced and illustrated in colour, it is a welcome addition to the literature.

In this tutorial review, we will explore recent advances in the construction and application of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based small-molecule fluorescent probes. The advantages of FRET-based fluorescent probes include: a large Stokes shift, ratiometric sensing and dual/multi-analyte responsive systems. We discuss the underlying energy donor-acceptor dye combinations and emphasise their applications for the detection or imaging of cations, anions, small neutral molecules, biomacromolecules, cellular microenvionments and dual/multi-analyte responsive systems.