A nanostructure formed by the insertion in silica nanoparticles of a pyrene-derivatized cavitand, which is able to specifically recognize ecstasy in water, is presented. The absence of effects from interferents and an efficient electron transfer process occurring after complexation of ecstasy, makes this system an efficient fluorescent probe for this popular drug.

Hyaluronate levels change dramatically during morphogenesis of various tissues and organs. Morphological detection of the exact temporal and spatial distribution patterns of hyaluronate may help to elucidate its role in morphogenesis. Since no specific direct method for visualizing hyaluronate with the light or electron microscope is currently available, we have developed a morphological probe ...

A cysteine-selective fluorescent probe 1 was developed and successfully applied for monitoring stress response cysteine fluctuations.