Nature‐inspired K+‐sensitive imaging probes for biomedical applications

Abstract

Abstract In living systems, potassium ion (K+) plays a vital role in a variety of physiological functions, whose dyshomeostasis has been seen as a biomarker of many diseases. Consequently, real‐time monitoring of K+ dynamics would benefit disease diagnosis and offer insight into the pathogenic mechanisms as well as the progression of diseases. By learning from K+‐specific substances in nature, such as ionophores, ion channels and DNA G‐quadruplex, this perspective introduces the ingenious designs, imaging functionalities, and response principles of K+‐sensitive probes. Furthermore, the recent advances in K+ probes for disease diagnosis, especially for brain disorders and tumors, are briefly summarized. Finally, we highlight the current challenges and future perspectives of K+‐sensitive probes for biomedical applications.

Keywords

• biomedical applications
• disease diagnosis
• inspiration from nature
• K+‐sensitive imaging probes