Intra cellular nanosensor systems for monitoring cell harm

The development of optical techniques enable monitoring changes within the intracellular environment has lead to a greater understanding of how the cell responds to certain stimuli including environmental changes, UV radiation, microorganisms and other sources harm to cell. These sensor systems have been well established and widely used for in vivo monitoring of a number of analytes including superoxide (O₂ ^-) and nitric oxide (NO) free radicals. Such systems offer an in-situ, real time detection of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in cell samples, therefore, can be used to examine how cells such as macrophages deal with invading organisms via the oxidative burst and how the interactions between host and pathogen. The method has the potential values for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.