Santi Nonell from Institut Quimic de Sarria, in Barcelona, investigates the fluorescent probe Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green

What inspired you to become a scientist?  

It was a combination of desire for a deeper understanding of the molecular world and a genuine admiration for the work of so many scientists who, being limited as human beings, had nevertheless been able to achieve so much.  

What was your motivation behind the work described in your ChemComm article?  

We have been working on singlet oxygen chemistry for many years and have always been interested in novel ways for monitoring this reactive oxygen species in biological media. We had recently studied a new singlet oxygen fluorescent probe called Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green®. In the course of those studies we noticed that the probe was able to self-photosensitise singlet oxygen, which could be potentially misleading if not properly taken into account. The work described in our ChemComm article characterises and provides a rationalisation for this effect.   

 Why did you choose ChemComm to publish your work?  

Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green®is a new fluorescent singlet oxygen probe for which there are not many reports available. As fluorescent probes are now being increasingly used by a broad scientific community for microscopic imaging, we felt it appropriate to communicate our findings fast and to an audience as wide as possible. Publication in ChemComm ensured both and the journal has a strong reputation for publishing high quality reports.   

 Where do you see your research heading next?  

Monitoring singlet oxygen in biological media remains our main interest in connection with the development of new drugs for photodynamic therapy. We have just learned that the production, diffusion, and reactivity of singlet oxygen depend strongly on the sub-cellular compartment where this species is generated and we seek to understand this better.  

 What do enjoy doing in your spare time?  

I feel at home in the mountains. I love hiking and biking from spring to autumn, followed by skiing in winter. My favourite place is in the Pyrenees, in Andorra. I try to run at least once or twice a week. I also enjoy reading a good book and, above all, I enjoy having my family around.  

 If you could not be a scientist, but could be anything else, what would you be?  

I guess I could have been a mountain guide. This is very much like teaching to motivated people and would allow me to spend much more time outdoors.  

Interviewed by Emma Shiells