Nanomaterial-based activatable imaging probes: from design to biological applications

Activatable imaging probes as alternatives to "always on'' imaging probes have attracted more and more attention due to their improved sensitivity and specificity. They are commonly designed to amplify or boost imaging signals only in response to specific biomolecular recognition or interaction. Thus, the design strategies play a vital role in the fabrication of activatable imaging probes. In this review, we focus on the design mechanisms and biological applications of those nanomaterial-based activatable imaging probes reported in the past five years, benefitting greatly from the good development of nanotechnology. These probes not only include the most studied activatable fluorescence imaging probes, but also cover more activatable MR imaging probes based on nanoparticle contrast agents and activatable photoacoustic imaging probes, providing more bases for clinical translation.