Advances in bioluminescence imaging: new probes from old recipes

Zi Yao; Brendan S Zhang; Jennifer A Prescher

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.05.009

Advances in bioluminescence imaging: new probes from old recipes

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2018 Aug:45:148-156. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.05.009. Epub 2018 Jun 5.

Authors

Zi Yao¹, Brendan S Zhang¹, Jennifer A Prescher²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
² Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. Electronic address: jpresche@uci.edu.

Abstract

Bioluminescent probes are powerful tools for visualizing biology in live tissues and whole animals. Recent years have seen a surge in the number of new luciferases, luciferins, and related tools available for bioluminescence imaging. Many were crafted using classic methods of optical probe design and engineering. Here we highlight recent advances in bioluminescent tool discovery and development, along with applications of the probes in cells, tissues, and organisms. Collectively, these tools are improving in vivo imaging capabilities and bolstering new research directions.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Luciferases / analysis
Luminescence
Luminescent Agents / analysis*
Luminescent Measurements / instrumentation
Luminescent Measurements / methods*
Optical Imaging / instrumentation
Optical Imaging / methods*

Substances

Luminescent Agents
Luciferases

Grants and funding

R01 GM107630/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States