PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON-TRANSFER AS A GENERAL DESIGN LOGIC FOR FLUORESCENT MOLECULAR SENSORS FOR CATIONS

The reasons for the value of molecular fluorescence as a biosensing technique are outlined. The case of fluorescent sensors for cations is discussed with emphasis on a new general design logic employing the principle of photo-induced electron transfer. It is shown that the modular approach to the construction of fluorescent molecular sensors for various cations according to the principle of photo-induced electron transfer should provide an impetus to the probing of biological microsystems.