We demonstrate a facile and rapid in situ partial oxidation synthetic strategy for the fabrication of a mixed valence state Ce-MOF (MVCM) which exhibits intrinsic oxidase-like activity. Furthermore, on the basis of the excellent catalytic activity of the MCVM, a colorimetric approach for the high-throughput detection of biothiols in serum samples was established.

A turn-on fluorescent sensor of hydrogen peroxide and glucose was developed based on a label-free nanozyme MIL-53(Fe) without other chromogenic reagents.

We have developed a glucose-responsive metal–organic framework (MOF)-based insulin delivery nanosystem via a one-pot process. The system relies on the MOF response to glucose stimulation and this can promote insulin delivery. This nanosystem was successfully applied for glucose-responsive and self-regulated insulin release.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive phototherapy that has gained significant attention for cancer therapy. However, image-guided PDT still remains a considerable challenge. Herein, we developed a targeted, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging nanoprobe for cancer cells by preparing natural biomass carbon dots (NBCDs) from lychee exocarp, and loading transferrin and a photosensitizer on the NBCD surfaces for image-guided PDT of cancer cells and mouse tumors. Because the surfaces of cancer cells exhibit more transferrin receptors, the proposed NIR fluorescent nanoprobe can better penetrate cancer cells for cancer cell targetable fluorescence imaging. Thus, the dual-function nanoprobe made from natural biomass can be used as a specific agent for NIR fluorescence imaging and PDT. More importantly, the functional nanoprobe prepared from natural biomass emits NIR fluorescence, shows very low biological toxicity, and can minimize side effects on normal cells. After directly injecting the nanoprobes into tumor tissues, the photosensitizers on the surface of the NBCDs can produce singlet oxygen (¹O₂) through photodynamic reactions when irradiated with 650 nm light to kill cancer cells, thus inhibiting tumor growth in PDT-treated mice. Therefore, the functional fluorescent nanoprobe made from natural biomass has been employed as a PDT agent, and holds great promise in image-guided tumor PDT.