Design strategies and applications of responsive metal-based luminescence probes in the bioanalysis

Responsive luminescence probes are considered one of the most attractive analytical tools in the biomedical field. However, typical responsive organic luminescence probes possess overlapping excitation and emission wavelengths with short lifetimes, resulting in low signal-to-noise ratios and false positive/negative signals in bioanalysis. Because of the advantages of large Stokes shifts, long lifetimes, high photostabilities, and easy ligand addition, responsive metal-based luminescence probes are considered better alternatives to organic ones and have unique prospects in the bioanalysis field. Herein, to provide researchers with a basis for their efforts to develop novel bioanalysis tools, this paper reviews critical strategies of responsive metal-based luminescence probes in achieving response by different stimulus sources. Besides, the current challenges and future opportunities of responsive metal-based luminescence probes are presented. This review aims to guide researchers to develop new responsive metal-based probe modification strategies for different stimulus sources and encourage the application in future bioanalysis.