Guest Editors
Dmytro Dziuba
Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathologies, University of Strasbourg
Dr. Dmytro Dziuba is a researcher at the University of Strasbourg and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France. He studied chemistry at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine) and later earned his PhD from the Université Côte d’Azur (France).Dr. Dziuba completed his first postdoctoral training with Prof. Michal Hocek at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague (Czech Republic), where he specialized in developing fluorescence labeling techniques for DNA. He then joined the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg (Germany) as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Prof. Carsten Schultz and Prof. Matthias Hentze, focusing on genetically encoded crosslinkers to study RNA-protein interactions.His current research program centers on the design, synthesis, and application of novel fluorescent probes for live-cell microscopy, with a particular focus on investigating the functions of RNAs and RNA-containing biomolecular condensates. In collaboration with Dr. Julie Karpenko, he also develops bacteria-targeting fluorescent probes for studying bacterial physiology and advancing laboratory diagnostics of infectious diseases.
Julie Karpenko
Laboratory for Therapeutic Innovations, University of Strasbourg
Dr. Julie Karpenko studied at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine) and the Université Côte d’Azur (France). She earned her PhD in biological chemistry from the University of Strasbourg (France). She subsequently joined the group of Prof. Kai Johnsson at EPFL (Switzerland) as a postdoctoral fellow, where she worked on fluorescent semi-synthetic protein sensors for in vivo calcium imaging. In 2016, she was appointed associate professor of organic chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg (France). Her current research focuses on the development of fluorescent probes for biological applications, with a particular emphasis on bacterial physiology and the diagnosis of bacterial infections.
Collection Overview
Fluorescence sensing technology has revolutionized the life sciences by enabling the visualization of biological processes with unprecedented specificity and sensitivity. Its primary advantage lies in providing real-time, non-invasive readouts at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, driving breakthroughs in our understanding of complex biological systems. Fluorescence is now indispensable across applications, from fundamental research to clinical diagnostics and drug discovery. Recent breakthroughs in near-infrared (NIR-I/II) probes, activatable and dual-responsive systems, nanoparticle-based platforms, peptide-targeted designs, and integration with multimodal modalities (e.g., photoacoustic, fluorescence lifetime imaging, super-resolution, and self-luminescence) are enabling deeper tissue penetration, reduced autofluorescence, higher resolution, and precise disease-specific activation.
The development of advanced fluorescent probes relies on rational molecular design, innovative synthetic chemistry, and bioconjugation methods. These disciplines are essential for creating probes with optimized photophysical and biochemical properties, pushing the boundaries of fluorescence microscopy and related techniques. By fine-tuning probe structures, researchers can overcome traditional limitations, such as high background noise from non-specific interactions, and achieve superior performance in live-cell imaging. Emerging strategies also address challenges in in vivo applications, including enhanced biocompatibility, targeting of disease biomarkers (e.g., in cancer, neurodegeneration, thrombosis, oxidative stress, and organelle-specific processes), and theranostic potential combining imaging with therapy.
This collection highlights the latest advancements in fluorescent probe design and applications, demonstrating how these innovations are opening new avenues in fundamental research and clinical diagnostics. The articles in this collection underscore the transformative potential of next-generation fluorescent probes, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in biology and medicine.
Abstracts
In situ synthesis of cell impermeable HaloTag Ligands for cellular imaging applications
Bianca Catalina Baciu1,
Ramona Birke1,
Johannes Broichhagen*1
1Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, 13125 Berlin, Germany.