Molecular engineering of AIE luminogens for NIR-II/IIb bioimaging and surgical navigation of lymph nodes

Near-infrared fluorophores for biomedical imaging

Hong, G., Antaris, A. L., & Dai, H. (2017) · Nature Biomedical Engineering · doi:10.1038/s41551-016-0010 · Cited by 3,048

Second window for in vivo imaging

Smith, A. M., Mancini, M. C., & Nie, S. (2009) · Nature Nanotechnology · doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.326 · Cited by 2,848

Near-infrared fluorescent type II quantum dots for sentinel lymph node mapping

Kim, S., Lim, Y. T., Soltesz, E. G., Grand, A. M. D., Lee, J., Nakayama, A., Parker, J. A., Mihaljevic, T., Laurence, R. G., Dor, D. M., et al. (2003) · Nature Biotechnology · doi:10.1038/nbt920 · Cited by 2,087

A small-molecule dye for NIR-II imaging

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A route to brightly fluorescent carbon nanotubes for near-infrared imaging in mice

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Development of organic semiconducting materials for deep-tissue optical imaging, phototherapy and photoactivation

Li, J., & Pu, K. (2018) · Chemical Society Reviews · doi:10.1039/c8cs00001h · Cited by 1,169

First-in-human liver-tumour surgery guided by multispectral fluorescence imaging in the visible and near-infrared-I/II windows

Hu, Z., Fang, C., Li, B., Zhang, Z., Cao, C., Cai, M., Su, S., Sun, X., Shi, X., Li, C., et al. (2019) · Nature Biomedical Engineering · doi:10.1038/s41551-019-0494-0 · Cited by 1,126

Through-skull fluorescence imaging of the brain in a new near-infrared window

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Advanced Fluorescence Imaging Technology in the Near-Infrared-II Window for Biomedical Applications

Li, C., Chen, G., Zhang, Y., Wu, F., & Wang, Q. (2020) · Journal of the American Chemical Society · doi:10.1021/jacs.0c07022 · Cited by 1,037

Crucial breakthrough of second near-infrared biological window fluorophores: design and synthesis toward multimodal imaging and theranostics

He, S., Song, J., Qu, J., & Cheng, Z. (2018) · Chemical Society Reviews · doi:10.1039/c8cs00234g · Cited by 1,021

Fast in vivo deep-tissue 3D imaging with selective-illumination NIR-II light-field microscopy and aberration-corrected implicit neural representationPreprint

Zhong, F., Li, X. T., He, M., Huang, Y., Yi, C., Mao, S., Huang, X., Ren, K., Kang, M., Zhang, Z., et al. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.03.16.643569 · Cited by 3

Nanobiotechnology-enabled strategies for molecular and cellular imaging of lymph nodes

Dai, H., Biggs, H., Li, Y., Wen, J., Qiao, R., & Xu, C. (2025) · Nano Research · doi:10.26599/nr.2025.94908163 · Cited by 2

Fine-tuning J-aggregation via steric hindrance for high-efficiency NIR-II bioimaging and photothermal therapy

Xia, W.-L., Ran, X., Zhao, Y., Zhang, H., Yu, X.-Q., & Li, K. (2025) · Materials Horizons · doi:10.1039/d5mh01966d · Cited by 2

Engineering rigidity-flexibility synergy in propeller AIEgens: 74.1 % quantum yield emitters and high-contrast cell imaging

Ren, J., Xu, J., Wang, Y., Chen, W., Zhao, Y., Xiao, X., Zhao, H., Wang, Y., Shan, D., & Xia, G. (2025) · Dyes and Pigments · doi:10.1016/j.dyepig.2025.113523 · Cited by 2

Aggregation‐Induced Emission in Fertility Preservation of Female Cancer Patients: From Precision Diagnosis and Therapy to Functional Restoration

Mu, Y., Li, Y., Dai, J. Y., & Li, K. (2026) · Small Structures · doi:10.1002/sstr.202500859 · Cited by 2

n-Hexyl side chain engineering: Crafting NIR-II AIEgens with balanced fluorescence-photothermal performance for precision tumor ablation

Wu, B., Zhang, Q., Chen, M., Zhang, H., Zheng, L., Peng, X., Wang, S., Quan, Y., Wang, L., Huang, Z.-S., et al. (2025) · Dyes and Pigments · doi:10.1016/j.dyepig.2025.112911 · Cited by 2

Research progress on a near-infrared fluorescence probe composed of carbazole skeleton for biological imaging

Qian, J., Gu, Y., Wang, Z., Pan, M., Li, D., & Ding, J. (2025) · Journal of Molecular Structure · doi:10.1016/j.molstruc.2025.144222 · Cited by 1

Lymph Node‐Targeted Nanomaterials for Controlled Nano‐Immunotherapy

Zhao, Y., Wang, M., Ma, M., Zhang, Y., & Wu, H. (2025) · Small Structures · doi:10.1002/sstr.202500521 · Cited by 1

Recent progress in AIE-dots by nanoprecipitation

Xu, Y., Gao, F., Qiu, Z., & Tang, B. Z. (2025) · Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science · doi:10.1016/j.cocis.2025.101988 · Cited by 1

Design and synthesis of a NIR-AIEEgen with rapid lysosome-targeting and large stokes shift for bioimaging

Jiang, R., Yang, Z., Li, J., Tan, J., Lei, Q., Zhong, B., Mei, Y., Zhang, Q., Jiang, P., & Zhao, Z. (2026) · Sensors and Actuators B Chemical · doi:10.1016/j.snb.2026.139885 · Cited by 1

Multidimensional Molecular Engineering of Benzobisthiadiazole‐Based NIR‐II AIEgens for Pareto‐Balanced Imaging and Photothermal Performance

Zuo, Y., Guo, L., Ou, X., Wang, W., He, G., Deng, Z., Zhu, X., Yang, M., Yang, S., K, H., et al. (2026) · Advanced Functional Materials · doi:10.1002/adfm.75575 · Cited by 1

A Novel Approach Based on Acceptor–Donor–Acceptor Type Molecules Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Photothermal Therapy for Osteosarcoma

Jin, Z., Wang, H., Yang, Y., Xie, Y. D., Zhang, Y., Du, Z., Huang, Y., Guo, W., Li, Y., & Wang, S. (2026) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.75482 · Cited by 1

Engineering Polarons for Circumventing Energy Gap Law: Nd‐doped CdTe Quantum Dots With High‐efficiency Emission at 1730 nm for NIR‐IIb/c Bioimaging

Xu, Q., Hou, Y., Li, S., Chen, M., Ren, F., Liu, Y., Zhang, C. L., Zhang, T., & Guo, D. (2026) · Advanced Materials · doi:10.1002/adma.73829 · Cited by 1

Polymethine Chromophores for NIR-II Phototheranostics: From Molecular Engineering to Nanoformulation-Enabled Bioapplications

Ran, X., Zhang, Y.-M., Xia, W.-L., Li, L.-X., Zhang, F., Cao, Y.-S., Yu, X.-Q., & Li, K. (2026) · ACS Nano · doi:10.1021/acsnano.6c08317 · Cited by 1

Low‐Power NIR‐II Excitable Organic Phototheranostic Agents With NIR‐IIb Emission for Precise Cancer Theranostics

Chen, X., Wu, Y., Hu, Y., Feng, L., Sha, R., Jiang, G., Tang, B. Z., & Wang, J. (2026) · Aggregate · doi:10.1002/agt2.70422 · Cited by 1

Design and application of staurosporine-based AIE fluorescent probes

Wang, X., Chen, N., Wei, Y., Zhou, J., Chen, M., Xu, H., & Xie, L. (2025) · Materials Letters · doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2025.139047 · Cited by 1

Research Progress on a Near-Infrared Fluorescence Probe Composed of Carbazole Skeleton for Biological ImagingPreprint

Gu, Y., Ding, J., Li, D., qian, J., & Song, X. (2023) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4561314

As Aggregation‐Induced Emission Meets with Noncovalent Conformational Locks: Subtly Regulating NIR‐II Molecules for Multimodal Imaging‐Navigated Synergistic Therapies

Li, J., Niu, N., Wang, D., Zhu, J., Li, X., Kong, Q., Tang, B. Z., & Wang, D. (2024) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.202413219

Rapid, Non‐Invasive, Accurate Diagnosis and Efficient Clearance of Metastatic Lymph Nodes

Ling, S., Yang, H., Wu, F., Yang, X., Li, T., Zhang, Y., Jiang, J., Li, C., & Wang, Q. (2024) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.202419988

Self‐Assembled Nanoconjugates with Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Near‐Infrared II Imaging and Transcytosis‐Driven Cancer Therapy

Yuan, G., Du, W., Sun, F., Dong, Q., Liu, C., Xu, Y., Liu, C., Lam, J. W. Y., Sun, J., Xiang, J., et al. (2025) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.202506770

Alkaline Phosphatase‐Activated NIR‐II AIEgens Nanosystem for Surgical and Postoperative Closed‐Loop Therapy of Advanced Osteosarcoma

Liu, K., Li, R., Zhang, L., Lu, H., Yang, B., Hu, Q., Tao, Y., Mu, H., Han, J., Zan, P., et al. (2026) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202516035

A–D–A–D–A structured organic semiconductor liposomes for NIR-II fluorescence imaging and surgical navigation of lymph node metastasis

Jiang, Q., Ying, X., Lu, X., Wei, C., Fu, K., Shaoliang, Y. A. N., Shen, Z., Ru, J., & Guo, G. (2026) · Journal of Materials Chemistry B · doi:10.1039/d6tb00155f

Aggregation-Induced Emission Materials for Biomedical Applications

Duo, Y., Luo, G., & Wang, Z. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-34203-5.00023-1

Fast in Vivo Deep‐Tissue 3D Imaging With Selective‐Illumination NIR‐II Light‐Field Microscopy and Aberration‐Corrected Implicit Neural Representation

Zhong, F., Li, X., Huang, Y., He, M., Yi, C., Mao, S., Huang, X., Ren, K., Kang, M., Liu, B., et al. (2026) · Laser & Photonics Review · doi:10.1002/lpor.71525

Precise Surgical Navigation of Endometriosis via NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging With a Semiconducting Polymeric Probe

Huang, Z., Li, C., Lin, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, P., Ding, D., Xie, H., Zhang, J., & Tang, B. Z. (2026) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.2407891

Precise Surgical Navigation of Endometriosis via NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging With a Semiconducting Polymeric Probe

Huang, Z., Li, C., Lin, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, P., Ding, D., Xie, H., Zhang, J., & Tang, B. Z. (2026) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.2407891

Molecular Tailoring of Fluorescent Agents Toward SICTERS‐Active Raman Probes

Zhang, W., Dong, W., Li, X., Luo, A., Qiu, Y., Cui, K., Wei, H., Liu, H., & Xiao, Z. (2026) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.5300342

Molecular Tailoring of Fluorescent Agents Toward SICTERS‐Active Raman Probes

Zhang, W., Dong, W., Li, X., Luo, A., Qiu, Y., Cui, K., Wei, H., Liu, H., & Xiao, Z. (2026) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.5300342

Heteroatom Acceptor Engineering Boosts NIR‑II Phototheranostics of Quinoid–Donor–Acceptor Semiconducting Polymers

Liu, C., Xie, L., Gu, X., Li, L., Chen, M., & Zheng, Q. (2026) · Advanced Functional Materials · doi:10.1002/adfm.78564

An NIR-II-Traceable Nanovaccine Programs Systemic Antigen Residence to Establish Checkpoint-Responsive Progenitor-Exhausted CD8-Positive T-Cell Reservoirs for Effective Cancer Immunotherapy

Ma, M., Xie, S., Zhang, H., Ma, H., Wang, T., Wang, X., Zhao, Z., Han, H., Zhang, Y., He, J., et al. (2026) · ACS Nano · doi:10.1021/acsnano.6c12073

From challenges to solutions: insights into AIEgen-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for breast cancer

Yu, Y., Zhao, J., Li, J., Li, J., Xu, X., Liang, H., Yuan, C., Dong, S., Gu, M., & Li, Z. (2026) · Coordination Chemistry Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2026.218616

Encapsulation-Activated Deep-NIR Triarylmethane Dyes via Steric Hindrance Engineering for Long-Circulating Fluorescence/Photoacoustic Dual-Modal Bioimaging

Zhang, X., Bian, H., Qiu, Y., Wei, R., Yang, Y., & Tang, B. (2026) · Journal of the American Chemical Society · doi:10.1021/jacs.6c16331

Ultrasensitive infrared-to-visible artificial vision via self-evolving projection guided by single-pixel detectionPreprint

Wang, F., Wang, Y., Liu, B., Zhu, M., Zhai, L., Wang, D., & Yang, Z. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-11019855/v1

Molecular Engineering of an Organic NIR‐II Fluorophore with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics for In Vivo Imaging

Wu, W., Yang, Y., Yang, Y., Yang, Y., Zhang, K., Guo, L., Ge, H., Chen, X., Liu, J., & Feng, H. (2019) · Small · doi:10.1002/smll.201805549 · Cited by 122

In Vivo Imaging: Molecular Engineering of an Organic NIR‐II Fluorophore with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics for In Vivo Imaging (Small 20/2019)

Wu, W., Yang, Y., Yang, Y., Yang, Y., Zhang, K., Guo, L., Ge, H., Chen, X., Liu, J., & Feng, H. (2019) · Small · doi:10.1002/smll.201970106 · Cited by 12

NIR-II fluorescence lymphatic imaging and intraoperative navigation based on the “isolated cage” monodisperse strategy

Qi, S., Wang, Y., Zhu, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, X., Yu, X., Yang, K., Bai, B., Feng, Y., Lei, J., et al. (2023) · Nano Today · doi:10.1016/j.nantod.2023.101795 · Cited by 23

Highly bright aggregation-induced emission nanodots for precise photoacoustic/NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided resection of neuroendocrine neoplasms and sentinel lymph nodes

Xu, R., Jiao, D., Long, Q., Li, X., Shan, K., Kong, X., Ou, H., Ding, D., & Tang, Q. (2022) · Biomaterials · doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121780 · Cited by 47

Near-Infrared Emitting Polymer Nanogels for Efficient Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping

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