Spatiotemporally Selective Molecular Imaging via Upconversion Luminescence-Controlled, DNA-Based Biosensor Technology

DNA-based biosensor technologies have shown great potential in chemical and biological detection. These biosensors have been actively developed as probes for molecular imaging in live cells and in animals, allowing in situ detection of analytes in complex biological systems, elucidation of the roles of key molecules in biological processes, and the development of non-invasive diagnosis and image-guided surgery. Despite the progress made, improving the spatial-temporal precision remains a challenge in this field. In this Minireview, we describe the concepts behind spatiotemporally selective molecular imaging via the combination of engineered, light-activatable DNA-based biosensors and upconversion nanotechnology. We then highlight the application of the approach for the spatiotemporally controlled imaging of various targets in specific intracellular organelles, signal amplification, as well as the regulation of targeting activity to receptor proteins. We finally discuss the challenges and perspectives for possible future developments in this emerging field.