Optical fluorescence imaging provides a powerful tool for biological research and biomedical applications. Compared to the traditional visible and near-infrared I window (NIR-I, 750–1000 nm), fluorescent imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000–1700 nm) can simultaneously benefit from reduced autofluorescence and photon scattering, as well as low tissue absorption, leading to better spatial resolution and feature contrast at deeper imaging depth. One key factor in NIR-II fluorescence imaging is the NIR-II fluorescence probes. According to the structure, NIR-II fluorescence probes can be classified as inorganic nanomaterials (rare-earth nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots), organic fluorophores, and fluorescent proteins. To date, NIR-II fluorescence imaging has been combined with new microscopy technologies, such as confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), and super-resolution microscopy, to enhance many powerful research studies in biology. Moreover, NIR-II imaging has been widely used in many biological fields, such as cell imaging, tissue imaging, in vivo imaging, and molecular imaging.
In this Research Topic, we focus on highlighting the latest developments of NIR-II fluorescence probes and their biological applications. We welcome the submissions of high-quality Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, and Perspective articles on this topic. Research themes include, but are not limited to the following:
• Design, synthesis, and improvement of novel NIR-II fluorescence probes
• Combination of different microscopy technologies to develop NIR-II imaging
• Applications of novel NIR-II fluorescence probes and NIR-II imaging in diverse fields
Optical fluorescence imaging provides a powerful tool for biological research and biomedical applications. Compared to the traditional visible and near-infrared I window (NIR-I, 750–1000 nm), fluorescent imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000–1700 nm) can simultaneously benefit from reduced autofluorescence and photon scattering, as well as low tissue absorption, leading to better spatial resolution and feature contrast at deeper imaging depth. One key factor in NIR-II fluorescence imaging is the NIR-II fluorescence probes. According to the structure, NIR-II fluorescence probes can be classified as inorganic nanomaterials (rare-earth nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots), organic fluorophores, and fluorescent proteins. To date, NIR-II fluorescence imaging has been combined with new microscopy technologies, such as confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), and super-resolution microscopy, to enhance many powerful research studies in biology. Moreover, NIR-II imaging has been widely used in many biological fields, such as cell imaging, tissue imaging, in vivo imaging, and molecular imaging.
In this Research Topic, we focus on highlighting the latest developments of NIR-II fluorescence probes and their biological applications. We welcome the submissions of high-quality Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, and Perspective articles on this topic. Research themes include, but are not limited to the following:
• Design, synthesis, and improvement of novel NIR-II fluorescence probes
• Combination of different microscopy technologies to develop NIR-II imaging
• Applications of novel NIR-II fluorescence probes and NIR-II imaging in diverse fields