Breakthrough in Sepsis Detection: New Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe Offers Promising Results

Strategic Insights -

A research team from the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University has developed a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe that can detect nitroreductase activity in hypoxic tumor environments with high specificity. The probe, named Biotin-XC-NO2, has been shown to increase fluorescence 50-fold at 640 nm, with a detection limit as low as 0.15 ng/mL. This innovative tool has been designed to monitor NTR activity in real-time, enabling clinicians to diagnose and treat inflammatory diseases more effectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • Biotin-XC-NO2 is a biotin-guided near-infrared fluorescent probe that can detect nitroreductase activity in hypoxic tumor environments.
  • The probe increases fluorescence 50-fold at 640 nm, with a detection limit as low as 0.15 ng/mL.
  • Biotin-XC-NO2 has been shown to work effectively in cellular and animal models, including HeLa cells, zebrafish, and tumor-bearing mice.
  • The probe has potential applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring of inflammatory diseases, including sepsis-induced acute lung injury.

Statistics:

  • The probe demonstrates a 50-fold increase in fluorescence at 640 nm.
  • The detection limit of Biotin-XC-NO2 is as low as 0.15 ng/mL.
  • The probe has been tested in HeLa cells, zebrafish, and tumor-bearing mice with promising results.

Sources:

  • Nitroreductase Detection and Imaging With a Biotin-guided Near-infrared Fluorescent Probe Exhibiting a Large Stokes Shift In Cells, Animal Tumors, and Sepsis-induced Acute Lung Injury (Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2025;442)
  • Life Science Weekly (November 4, 2025; p 4455)