Carbon dots were synthesized by a simple and green strategy for selective and sensitive Cu²⁺ ion detection using both down and upconversion fluorescence. These fluorescent nanosensors show low cytotoxicity and are applied for intracellular sensing and imaging of Cu²⁺ in biological systems.

The easy functionalization of tags and solid supports with the vinyl sulfone function is a valuable tool in omic sciences that allows their coupling with the amine and thiol groups present in the proteogenic residues of proteins, in mild and green conditions compatible with their biological function.

A topically administered fluorescently labeled peptide targeting lipid A permits rapid, real-time visualization of bacteria in the distal human lung.

From a chemistry-based perspective, this review discusses the most recent advances in the field of substrate-based probes for the detection and analysis of proteolytic activity bothin vitroandin vivo.

Optical medical imaging is a rapidly growing area of research and development that offers a multitude of healthcare solutions both diagnostically and therapeutically. In this review, some of the most recently described peptide-based optical probes are reviewed with a special emphasis on their in vivo use and potential application in a clinical setting.