Themed collection Analytical methods in chemical biology

The integration of mass spectrometry with microfluidics has the potential to create high-throughput, sensitivity, and specificity assays.

Alkyne functional groups have unique stretching frequency in the cell silent region. This review discusses the application of alkyne tags for Raman imaging in biological samples.

Understanding how pharmaceutical peptides transport across the intestinal barrier could increase their bio-availability. To this end, fluorescence imaging offers a unique combination of spatiotemporal resolution and compatibility with living systems.

Various quantitative strategies can be utilized in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic investigations. Here we explore recent applications of quantitative MS-based strategies and the resulting advances in the areas of prostate, pancreatic, breast and ovarian cancer research.

Metal complex luminophores have emerged as effective cell imaging contrast agents over the past decade. Here we review strategies employed to promote their cell permeability and sub-cellular targeting, critical challenges in imaging applications.

This review details optical detection methods for proximal multi-site phosphorylation, a critical post-translational modification in protein biology.

In this review, we discuss structural and photophysical properties of photoactivatable EosFP and its engineered descendants and present a variety of applications in conventional and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

In this review, we discuss the recent development of near-infrared photoacoustic probes based on small molecule dyes, which focus on their “always on” and “activatable” form in biomedicine.

In vivo imaging has become in recent years an incredible tool to study biological events and has found critical applications in diagnostic medicine.

Single-cell multi-omics profiling methods are developed to dissect heterogeneity of cell populations.

Labelling of nucleic acids as biologically important cellular components is a crucial prerequisite for the visualization and understanding of biological processes.

Small-molecule enzyme hybrids pair a far-red voltage-sensitive fluorophore with a cell-surface expressed HaloTag enzyme via a flexible linker to enable voltage imaging from genetically defined neurons in culture and brain slice.

First application of squaric acids with excellent stability and chemoselective reactivity in mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis of amine-containing metabolites.

Broadening of NMR resonance spins used to map binding of paramagnetic FeMo–co to the nitrogenase metallocluster escort protein NafY.

A one-pot fluorescence-based assay to quantitively detect APOBEC3A activity was developed.

Here, we report the development, computational modeling, in vitro enzymology, and biological application of an activity-based fluorescent sensor for the human phenol sulfotransferase SULT1A1.

Targeted imaging agent labels activated microglia when delivered into the brain with focused ultrasound and microbubbles – a tool to investigate inflammation in neurological disorders.

Diphenyl acetylene derivatives containing various polymeric components have been designed as new Raman imaging probes. These are taken up by plant cells via different pathways, and the internalization of exogenous molecules can be visualized.

Chemical proteomics and cellular imaging reveal lysosomal trapping of tranylcypromine which can be largely reverted by the addition of lysosomotropic drugs.

The interface interactions of a type II peptidyl carrier protein and partner enzyme are observed to be unique and dynamic.

Uptake and quantitative ratiometric oxygen sensing response of core–shell nanoparticles containing ruthenium probe and BODIPY reference is demonstrated using a plate reader-based assay and by confocal xyλ scanning of live cancer cells under hypoxic conditions.

New naphthalimide tetrazine probes permit fluorescent imaging of biomolecules in vitro and in living cells. They can be modified to provide previously unknown information about health and disease in biological systems.

A pair of orthogonal coiled coils templates highly specific live cell bioconjugation of two different proteins. PNA tagging and hybridisation with fluorophore–DNA reporters enables rapid dual receptor internalisation analysis of EGFR and ErbB2.

We describe a signal amplification method termed “Click-based amplification” that can be well integrated with various click-labelling modes, including chemical labelling, genetic incorporation and covalent inhibitor probe mediated target labelling.

Modulation of real-time reversible nanoscale distribution of HCN2 channels using optogenetic activation of cAMP in live cells.

Voltage imaging with fluorescent indicators offers a powerful complement to traditional electrode or Ca²⁺-imaging approaches for monitoring electrical activity.

Macrolide fluorescent probes illuminate the interactions between antibiotics and bacteria, providing new insight into mechanisms of resistance.

A novel DNA sensing method based on LD spectroscopy and using bionanoparticle scaffolds is described, as demonstrated by the rapid detection of DNA strands associated with bacterial and viral pathogens.

Crosstalk between the Streptococcus mitis competence stimulating peptide (CSP) and the Streptococcus pneumoniae competence regulon quorum sensing circuitry was identified.