Advanced Functional Probes and Methodologies for Biophysical Sensing

Optical functional materials and spectroscopic probes have become powerful tools for understanding complex biological processes with high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and molecular specificity. Recent advances in fluorescent proteins, luminescent nanomaterials, aggregation-induced emission systems, genetically encoded biosensors, persistent luminescent probes, plasmonic nanostructures, and Raman-active platforms are opening new opportunities for biophysical sensing, bioimaging, and real-time biological analysis. These technologies offer versatile strategies for monitoring cellular microenvironments, molecular interactions, enzyme activities, oxidative stress, ion dynamics, metabolic changes, tissue structures, and disease-related biomarkers.The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight recent progress in advanced optical functional materials and spectroscopic probes for biophysical sensing and bioimaging, focusing on the design, photophysical regulation, spectroscopic characterisation, and biological application of optical probes and functional materials.Specific objectives include:• Designing and regulating optical probes and functional materials that enable high-contrast imaging, sensitive detection, and multiplexed analysis• Advancing methods for long-term tracking, deep-tissue imaging, and dynamic monitoring of biological events• Elucidating the photophysical mechanisms, structure–property relationships, and energy-transfer and signal-amplification processes behind probe performance• Integrating optical spectroscopy with microfluidics, organoids, cell models, tissue imaging, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoringThis Research Topic welcomes contributions across materials science, photophysics, spectroscopy, biophysics, chemical biology, biomedical engineering, and the life sciences. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:• Fluorescent and luminescent probes, aggregation-induced emission materials, and genetically encoded biosensors• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering probes, plasmonic and photonic materials• Persistent luminescent and afterglow probes, and mechanoluminescent or stimuli-responsive optical systems• Ultrafast and single-molecule spectroscopy, and advanced fluorescence microscopy• Fluorescence lifetime imaging, super-resolution imaging, Raman imaging, and time-resolved spectroscopy• Multimodal optical imaging platforms and computational optical analysis• Probe–biological interface interactions and signal-amplification strategiesWe invite Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, and Methods articles that present innovative materials, mechanisms, imaging strategies, analytical platforms, and biomedical applications. By bringing these together, the collection seeks to promote interdisciplinary discussion and accelerate the development of next-generation optical technologies for biological sensing, imaging, and mechanistic investigation. Topic editors: Chonghui Li, Xiaohui Lin, Shicai Xu, Muhammad Shafi, J. Ricardo Arias-Gonzalez, Ahmed A. Heikal Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83671/advanced-functional-probes-and-methodologies-for-biophysical-sensing