Issue 37, 2012

Mapping viscosity in cells using molecular rotors

Abstract

This article describes an emerging method for quantitative measurement and spatial imaging of microviscosity within individual domains of live cells. The method is based on fluorescence detection from small synthetic molecules termed ‘molecular rotors’, which are characterised by a strong response of fluorescence lifetimes or spectra to the viscosity of their immediate environment. Alongside this new method, two complementary techniques are discussed, which provide further insights into diffusion controlled processes on a microscopic scale in a biological environment. These are time resolved fluorescence anisotropy and imaging of short-lived excited state of molecular oxygen, termed ‘singlet oxygen’. It is possible to utilise all three approaches for the quantitative determination of viscosity in individual organelles of live cells. Finally, it is discussed how the major advantage of molecular rotor imaging, fast signal acquisition, can be used to monitor changing viscosity during dynamic biological processes within cells, such as photoinduced cell death.

Graphical abstract: Mapping viscosity in cells using molecular rotors

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
22 Cax 2012
Accepted
20 Qas 2012
First published
21 Qas 2012

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012,14, 12671-12686

Mapping viscosity in cells using molecular rotors

M. K. Kuimova, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, 12671 DOI: 10.1039/C2CP41674C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements