Cellular fluorophore

Cellular fluorophores are a diverse group of endogenous and exogenous molecules capable of absorbing light and re-emitting it at longer wavelengths, a process known as optical emission (Monici, 2005). Endogenous fluorophores include metabolic cofactors like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which provide insights into cellular energy metabolism, as well as structural proteins like collagen and elastin (Heikal, 2010). While these molecules are not therapeutic targets themselves, their optical properties are extensively utilized in diagnostic imaging and as biomarkers for various pathologies, including cancer and metabolic diseases (Georgakoudi & Quinn, 2023). In research, exogenous fluorophores and fluorescent proteins are indispensable tools for labeling specific cellular components and tracking biological processes in real-time. The study of cellular fluorophores is central to the field of biophotonics, enabling non-invasive monitoring of physiological states and treatment responses (PubMed, NIH).

Other names

Endogenous fluorophoreAutofluorescence sourceFluorescent probeOptical emission sourceBiological fluorophore

Not applicable as cellular fluorophores are physical properties or metabolic markers rather than therapeutic targets.