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Novel Fluorescence Probe with Good Biocompatibility and Selectivity for the Detection of Cu2+ in Cells
Abstract
Trace element analysis of ancient human remains plays an important role in reconstructing dietary habits and living environments. However, conventional analytical methods have critical limitations such as destructive sampling, high costs, and inadequate sensitivity. To address these challenges, a reversible fluorescent probe with specific recognition for Cu2⁺ was fabricated and characterized in this study for cell detection and bioimaging. Compared with other cations in solution, the probe exhibited exceptional selectivity and sensitivity towards Cu2⁺. The interaction between the probe and Cu2⁺ accelerated the ring-opening process, resulting in a new emission band at 525 nm within a specific pH range. A strong linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and Cu2⁺ concentration, ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 equivalents, with a detection limit of 4.52 μM, was observed. In addition, Job plots and infrared spectral analysis revealed that B probe complexed Cu2+ at a 1:1 ratio. Biological testing revealed that the probe has good biocompatibility and can be effectively used for Cu2⁺ cell imaging. Cu2+-specific reversible fluorescent probes can be designed and fabricated with good fluorescence response characteristics and combined with fluorescence spectroscopy technology to accurately quantify Cu2+ in complex ancient human samples.
Supporting agencies: This research was funded by the Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation funds research projects in basic scientific areas (grant No. 2024JC-YBMS-135), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 52203126), the Xi and Natural Science Foundation (grant No. 2026JH-SZRJ-0272), the Archaeological Talent Promotion Program of China (grant No. 2025-207), and the Major Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province (grant No. 25ZDFA014). The authors acknowledge Fulin Chen, Northwest University, for his help in interpreting the significance of the results obtained from the current study.
About the Authors
X. Zhao
Northwest University
China
China
Xing Zhao - School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University.
Xi’an
P. Zhang
Northwest University
China
China
Peiyue Zhang - School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University.
Xi’an
X. Leng
Northwest University
China
China
Xin Leng - College of Life Sciences, Northwest University; College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University.
Xi’an
J. Liu
Northwest University
China
China
Jing Liu - College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University.
Xi’an
Y. Zhang
Northwest University
China
China
Yang Zhang - College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University.
Xi’an
Y. Bai
Northwest University
China
China
Yinjuan Bai - College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University.
Xi’an
B. Yang
Northwest University
China
China
Bingqin Yang - College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University.
Xi’an
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Review
For citations:
Zhao X., Zhang P., Leng X., Liu J., Zhang Y., Bai Y., Yang B. Novel Fluorescence Probe with Good Biocompatibility and Selectivity for the Detection of Cu2+ in Cells. Zhurnal Prikladnoii Spektroskopii. 2026;93(2):291-1-291-8.
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