Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging: Development and Applications

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Determining molecular properties and functions is important for deeply understanding cell activities and developing novel therapeutic strategies. The optical sensing and imaging approaches are powerful tools for studying molecular events owing to the noninvasive and dynamic monitoring features. Label-free sensing approaches have shown distinct advantages in analyzing intrinsic molecular properties, such as mass, diffusion, and binding kinetics. Recently developed label-free single-molecule imaging approaches, including interferometric scattering microscopy, plasmonic scattering microscopy, and evanescent scattering microscopy, have further advanced this field by pushing beyond the ensemble average to reveal the statistical distributions of molecular properties in both pure buffer and complex biological media at the single molecular level. At the same time, the NIR fluorescence imaging approaches have gained significant attention in molecular imaging due to their deep tissue penetration, reduced scattering, and autofluorescence background. In this issue, we focus on the new development of highly sensitive label-free biosensing and imaging approaches and the NIR biosensing, and especially the integrated imaging approaches combining the label-free and NIR biosensors to reveal the multiple properties of biological processes. We invite research submissions capable of helping advance the field of optical molecular imaging and their applications for the efficient analysis of biological activities.

Dr. Pengfei Zhang
Dr. Rui Wang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biosensors biosensors	4.9	6.6	2011	17.1 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Sensors sensors	3.4	7.3	2001	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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17 pages, 1750 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Correlative Raman Imaging: Development and Cancer Applications

by Hossein Khadem, Maria Mangini, Somayeh Farazpour and Anna Chiara De Luca

Biosensors 2024, 14(7), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14070324 - 28 Jun 2024

Viewed by 427

Abstract

Despite extensive research efforts, cancer continues to stand as one of the leading causes of death on a global scale. To gain profound insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying cancer onset and progression, it is imperative to possess methodologies that allow the study [...] Read more.

Despite extensive research efforts, cancer continues to stand as one of the leading causes of death on a global scale. To gain profound insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying cancer onset and progression, it is imperative to possess methodologies that allow the study of cancer cells at the single-cell level, focusing on critical parameters such as cell morphology, metabolism, and molecular characteristics. These insights are essential for effectively discerning between healthy and cancerous cells and comprehending tumoral progression. Recent advancements in microscopy techniques have significantly advanced the study of cancer cells, with Raman microspectroscopy (RM) emerging as a particularly powerful tool. Indeed, RM can provide both biochemical and spatial details at the single-cell level without the need for labels or causing disruptions to cell integrity. Moreover, RM can be correlated with other microscopy techniques, creating a synergy that offers a spectrum of complementary insights into cancer cell morphology and biology. This review aims to explore the correlation between RM and other microscopy techniques such as confocal fluoresce microscopy (CFM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), digital holography microscopy (DHM), and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Each of these techniques has their own strengths, providing different perspectives and parameters about cancer cell features. The correlation between information from these various analysis methods is a valuable tool for physicians and researchers, aiding in the comprehension of cancer cell morphology and biology, unraveling mechanisms underlying cancer progression, and facilitating the development of early diagnosis and/or monitoring cancer progression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging: Development and Applications)

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14 pages, 2762 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Photonic Crystal Surface Mode Real-Time Imaging of RAD51 DNA Repair Protein Interaction with the ssDNA Substrate

by Galina Nifontova, Cathy Charlier, Nizar Ayadi, Fabrice Fleury, Alexander Karaulov, Alyona Sukhanova and Igor Nabiev

Biosensors 2024, 14(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14010043 - 14 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2055

Abstract

Photonic crystals (PCs) are promising tools for label-free sensing in drug discovery screening, diagnostics, and analysis of ligand–receptor interactions. Imaging of PC surface modes has emerged as a novel approach to the detection of multiple binding events at the sensor surface. PC surface [...] Read more.

Photonic crystals (PCs) are promising tools for label-free sensing in drug discovery screening, diagnostics, and analysis of ligand–receptor interactions. Imaging of PC surface modes has emerged as a novel approach to the detection of multiple binding events at the sensor surface. PC surface modification and decoration with recognition units yield an interface providing the highly sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers, antibodies, and oligonucleotides. The RAD51 protein plays a central role in DNA repair via the homologous recombination pathway. This recombinase is essential for the genome stability and its overexpression is often correlated with aggressive cancer. RAD51 is therefore a potential target in the therapeutic strategy for cancer. Here, we report the designing of a PC-based array sensor for real-time monitoring of oligonucleotide–RAD51 recruitment by means of surface mode imaging and validation of the concept of this approach. Our data demonstrate that the designed biosensor ensures the highly sensitive multiplexed analysis of association–dissociation events and detection of the biomarker of DNA damage using a microfluidic PC array. The obtained results highlight the potential of the developed technique for testing the functionality of candidate drugs, discovering new molecular targets and drug entities. This paves the way to further adaption and bioanalytical use of the biosensor for high-content screening to identify new DNA repair inhibitor drugs targeting the RAD51 nucleoprotein filament or to discover new molecular targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging: Development and Applications)

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