Biomembranes are dynamic boundaries important for cellular communications, with diverse lipid compositions influencing biological processes. Fluorescent tools, especially organic fluorophore-based probes, have advanced the study of membrane structures and dynamics. This review highlights recent developments of organic dyes and imaging applications that enhance understanding of plasma and organelle membrane properties.

Abstract

Biomembranes act as boundaries between cells and their outside environment and between intracellular compartments, playing integral roles in cellular signaling and communications. A vast body of research has shown that biomembranes are dynamic and heterogeneous, and that they largely vary in lipid compositions and their organizations, governing a plethora of membrane-associated biological processes. Fluorescent tools, including fluorescent contrast agents (fluorophores) and fluorescence imaging modalities, have been demonstrated to be powerful in studying lipid membrane structures and dynamics. Here, we review recent progress in lipid membrane probes based on organic fluorophore designs and their uses in studying lipid membrane properties in plasma membranes and various organelle membranes. In this context, we also highlight applications of these fluorescent membrane probes in diverse fluorescence-based imaging settings that advance lipid membrane research.