Fluorescent Biosensor Research Articles

A universal fluorescence biosensor based on rolling circle amplification and locking probe for DNA detection.

Astable DNA signal amplification sensor was developed on account of rolling circle amplification (RCA). This sensor includes target DNA-controlled rolling circle amplification technology and locking probe DNA replacement technology, which can be used to detect DNA fragments with genetic information, thus constructing a biosensor for universal detection of DNA. This study takes the homologous DNA of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and let-7a as examples to describe this biosensor. The padlock probe is first cyclized by T4 DNA ligase in response to the target's reaction with it. Then, rolling cycle amplification is initiated by Phi29 DNA polymerase, resulting in the formation of a lengthy chain with several triggers. These triggers can open the locked probe LP1 with the fluorescence signal turned off, so that it can continue to react with H2 to form a stable H1-H2 double strand. This regulates the distance between B-DNA modified by the quenching group and H1 modified by fluorescent group, and the fluorescence signal is recovered.

Nitrogen doped carbon dots and gold nanoparticles mediated FRET for the detection of creatinine in human urine samples

Serum creatinine (CR) is regarded as one of the most sought out prognostic biomarkers in medical evaluation of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In light of the diagnostic significance of CR, the utility of a fluorescence biosensor for its detection in human urine specimens has been explored based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) across nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). A straightforward microwave-assisted synthesis procedure has been adopted to prepare N-CDs (λexcitation = 400 nm, λemission = 540 ± 5 nm) with bright green emissions. On addition of pre-synthesized GNPs, the radiative emanation of the N-CDs is completely suppressed on account of FRET across the N-CDs and the GNPs. About 77 % of their fluorescence intensity is recovered after adding CR to GNPs@N-CDs nanocomposite. The limit of detection for CR sensing is estimated as 0.02 µg•mL−1. This biosensor is selective enough to recognize CR in the existence of potential interfering substances (e.g., ascorbic acid, glucose, glutathione, urea, and electrolytes). Its practical utility for CR detection has been validated further on the basis of satisfactory correlation with the benchmark Jaffe method, as observed in artificial/human urine specimens. Consequently, this manuscript marks a pioneering report on employing CDs and GNPs-based FRET for identifying CR in urine specimens of CKD patients.

Label-free fluorescent biosensor based on AuNPs etching releasing signal for miRNA-155 detection

Quantitative microRNA (miRNA) detection is crucial for early breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, quick and stable fluorescence sensing for miRNA identification is still challenging. This work developed a novel label-free detection method based on AuNPs etching for quantitatively detecting miRNA-155. A layer of AuNPs was grown on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) loaded with Rhodamine 6G (R6G) using seed-mediated growth, followed by probe attachment. In the presence of miRNA-155, the MSN@R6G@AuNP surface loses the protection of the attached probe, rendering AuNPs susceptible to etching by hydrochloric acid. This results in a significant fluorescent signal being released in the free space. The encapsulation with AuNPs effectively reduces signal leakage, while the rapid etching process shortens detection time. This strategy enables sensitive and fast detection with a detection range of 100 fM to 100 nM, a detection limit of 2.18 fM, and a detection time of 30 min. The recovery rate in normal human serum ranges from 99.02 % to 106.34 %. This work presents a simple biosensing strategy with significant potential for application in tumor diagnosis.

Dopamine neurons drive spatiotemporally heterogeneous striatal dopamine signals during learning

Environmental cues, through Pavlovian learning, become conditioned stimuli that invigorate and guide animals toward rewards. Dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SNc) are crucial for this process, via engagement of a reciprocally connected network with their striatal targets. Critically, it remains unknown how dopamine neuron activity itself engages dopamine signals throughout the striatum, across learning. Here, we investigated how optogenetic Pavlovian cue conditioning of VTA or SNc dopamine neurons directs cue-evoked behavior and shapes subregion-specific striatal dopamine dynamics. We used a fluorescent biosensor to monitor dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell, dorsomedial striatum (DMS), and dorsolateral striatum (DLS). We demonstrate spatially heterogeneous, learning-dependent dopamine changes across striatal regions. Although VTA stimulation-evoked robust dopamine release in NAc core, shell, and DMS, predictive cues preferentially recruited dopamine release in NAc core, starting early in training, and DMS, late in training. Negative prediction error signals, reflecting a violation in the expectation of dopamine neuron activation, only emerged in the NAc core and DMS. Despite the development of vigorous movement late in training, conditioned dopamine signals did not emerge in the DLS, even during Pavlovian conditioning with SNc dopamine neuron activation, which elicited robust DLS dopamine release. Together, our studies show a broad dissociation in the fundamental prediction and reward-related information generated by VTA and SNc dopamine neuron populations and signaled by dopamine across the striatum. Further, they offer new insight into how larger-scale adaptations across the striatal network emerge during learning to coordinate behavior.

Multifunctional Eu-doped carbon dots nanoprobe for highly sensitive and selective determination of glutathione in biological fluid and cell imaging

Glutathione (GSH) holds a vital role in biological systems, serving diverse cellular functions. Selective determination of GSH over cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) stays challenging due to the shared functional groups among these biothiols. In this study, a versatile Eu-doped carbon dots (Eu-CDs) nanoprobe has been developed for the exceptionally sensitive and selective detection of GSH in biological fluids. The synthesized Eu-CDs exhibited high solubility in water, stability to salt and pH variations, and consistent fluorescence emission, boasting a quantum yield of 40.67 %. Following the optimization of detection parameters, a robust linear relationship for GSH was established in the concentration range of 0.0–50 μM, with a detection limit of 0.03 μM. The viability of the technique in actual samples was evaluated by successfully measuring the GSH in urine and human serum samples with a range recovery from 90.6 % to 98.5 %. Furthermore, Eu-CDs proved to be exceptionally suitable for imaging Hela cells owing to their low cytotoxicity and remarkable biocompatibility. As a result, the developed fluorescent biosensor demonstrated significant potential for widespread application in clinical diagnostic analyses.

Photonic crystal-enhanced fluorescence biosensor with logic gate operation based on one-pot cascade amplification DNA circuit for enzyme-free and ultrasensitive analysis of two microRNAs

The development of sensitive and efficient analytical methods for multiple biomarkers is crucial for cancer screening at early stage. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of biomarkers with diagnostic potential for cancer. However, the ultrasensitive and logical analysis of multiple miRNAs with simple operation still faces some challenges. Herein, a photonic crystal (PC)-enhanced fluorescence biosensor with logic gate operation based on one-pot cascade amplification DNA circuit was developed for enzyme-free and ultrasensitive analysis of two cancer-related miRNAs. The fluorescence biosensor was performed by biochemical recognition amplification module (BCRAM) and physical enhancement module (PEM) to achieve logical and sensitive detection. In the BCRAM, one-pot cascade amplification circuit consisted of the upstream parallel entropy-driven circuit (EDC) and the downstream shared catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA). The input of target miRNA would trigger each corresponding EDC, and the parallel EDCs released the same R strand for triggering subsequent CHA; thus, the OR logic gate was obtained with minimization of design and operation. In the PEM, photonic crystal (PC) array was prepared easily for specifically enhancing the fluorescence output from BCRAM by the optical modulation capabilities; meanwhile, the high-throughput signal readout was achieved by microplate analyzer. Benefiting from the integrated advantages of two modules, the proposed biosensor achieved ultrasensitive detection of two miRNAs with easy logic gate operation, obtaining the LODs of 8.6 fM and 6.7 fM under isothermal and enzyme-free conditions. Hence, the biosensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, easy operation, multiplex and high-throughput analysis, showing great potential for cancer screening at early stage.

Recent Advances in Fluorescent Biosensor: A Comprehensive Review

Herein, short review paper investigated the rapidly progress in fluorescent biosensors field and their significant influences on analytical chemistry applications. An electrical signal can be produced from a biological reaction using an integrated receptor-transducer device called a biosensor. Because there are so many uses for biosensors in the medical field, including medication delivery, environmental monitoring, water and food quality monitoring, and illness detection, biosensor design and development have become a top priority for scientists and researchers in the last ten years. In the beginning, we started to explain the basic principles of fluorescence. Then, we moved to discuss about the current advancements, creative sensor designs, and the fusion of materials science and nanotechnology. The paper highlighted the sensitivity of fluorescent biosensors by addressing a wide range of applications, including biological research, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics. This review paper censoriously assessed the present difficulties, such as interference and constrained dynamic range, and provided explanations into ongoing research. Advanced material and nanotechnology integration is emerging as a force that improves biosensor performance and broadens their uses. This study also discussed the future possible breakthroughs in biosensor technology and its broad use in a variety of scientific and societal fields.

Quantification of collective signalling in time-lapse microscopy images.

Live-cell imaging of fluorescent biosensors has demonstrated that space-time correlations in signalling of cell collectives play an important organisational role in morphogenesis, wound healing, regeneration, and maintaining epithelial homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate how to quantify one such phenomenon, namely apoptosis-induced ERK activity waves in the MCF10A epithelium. We present a protocol that starts from raw time-lapse fluorescence microscopy images and, through a sequence of image manipulations, ends with ARCOS, our computational method to detect and quantify collective signalling. We also describe the same workflow in the interactive napari image viewer to quantify collective phenomena for users without prior programming experience. Our approach can be applied to space-time correlations in cells, cell collectives, or communities of multicellular organisms, in 2D and 3D geometries.

Stimulus-Responsive Four-Stranded DNA Nanoring Assembly to Host Multiple Nanosilver Clusters for Cooperatively Enhanced Fluorescence Biosensing.

Exploring the ability of four-stranded DNA nanorings (fsDNRs) to host multiple nanosilver clusters (NAgCs) for cooperatively amplifiable fluorescence biosensing to a specific initiator (tI*) is fascinating. By designing three DNA single strands and three analogous stem-loop hairpins, we developed a functional fsDNR through sequential cross-opening and overlapped hybridization. Note that a substrate strand (SS) was programmed with six modules: two severed splits (sT and sT') of NAgCs template, two sequestered segments by a middle unpaired spacer, and a partition for tI*-recognizable displacement, while sT and sT' were also tethered in two ends of three hairpins. At first, a triple dsDNA complex with stimulus-responsiveness was formed to guide the specific binding to tI*, while the exposed toehold of the SS activated the forward cascade hybridization of three hairpins, until the ring closure in the tailored self-assembly pathway for forming the fsDNR. The resulting four duplexes forced each pair of sT/sT' to be merged as the parent template in four nicks, guiding the preferential synthesis of four clusters in the shared fsDNR, thereby cooperatively amplifying the green fluorescence signal for sensitive assay of tI*. Meanwhile, the topological conformation of fsDNR can be stabilized by the as-formed cluster adducts to rivet the pair of two splits in the nicks. Benefitting from the self-enhanced effect of multiple emitters, this label-free fluorescent sensing strategy features simplicity, rapidity, and high on-off contrast, without involving complicated nucleic acid amplifiers.

Unlocking the NIR‐II AIEgen for High Brightness through Intramolecular Electrostatic Locking

AbstractFluorescent imaging and biosensing in the near‐infrared‐II (NIR‐II) window holds great promise for non‐invasive, radiation‐free, and rapid‐response clinical diagnosis. However, it's still challenging to develop bright NIR‐II fluorophores. In this study, we report a new strategy to enhance the brightness of NIR‐II aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) fluorophores through intramolecular electrostatic locking. By introducing sulfur atoms into the side chains of the thiophene bridge in TSEH molecule, the molecular motion of the conjugated backbone can be locked through intramolecular interactions between the sulfur and nitrogen atoms. This leads to enhanced NIR‐II fluorescent emission of TSEH in both solution and aggregation states. Notably, the encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) of TSEH show enhanced brightness, which is 2.6‐fold higher than TEH NPs with alkyl side chains. The in vivo experiments reveal the feasibility of TSEH NPs in vascular and tumor imaging with a high signal‐to‐background ratio and precise resection for tiny tumors. In addition, polystyrene nanospheres encapsulated with TSEH are utilized for antigen detection in lateral flow assays, showing a signal‐to‐noise ratio 1.9‐fold higher than the TEH counterpart in detecting low‐concentration antigens. This work highlights the potential for developing bright NIR‐II fluorophores through intramolecular electrostatic locking and their potential applications in clinical diagnosis and biomedical research.

Unlocking the NIR-II AIEgen for High Brightness through Intramolecular Electrostatic Locking.

Fluorescent imaging and biosensing in the near-infrared-II (NIR-II) window holds great promise for non-invasive, radiation-free, and rapid-response clinical diagnosis. However, it's still challenging to develop bright NIR-II fluorophores. In this study, we report a new strategy to enhance the brightness of NIR-II aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorophores through intramolecular electrostatic locking. By introducing sulfur atoms into the side chains of the thiophene bridge in TSEH molecule, the molecular motion of the conjugated backbone can be locked through intramolecular interactions between the sulfur and nitrogen atoms. This leads to enhanced NIR-II fluorescent emission of TSEH in both solution and aggregation states. Notably, the encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) of TSEH show enhanced brightness, which is 2.6-fold higher than TEH NPs with alkyl side chains. The in vivo experiments reveal the feasibility of TSEH NPs in vascular and tumor imaging with a high signal-to-background ratio and precise resection for tiny tumors. In addition, polystyrene nanospheres encapsulated with TSEH are utilized for antigen detection in lateral flow assays, showing a signal-to-noise ratio 1.9-fold higher than the TEH counterpart in detecting low-concentration antigens. This work highlights the potential for developing bright NIR-II fluorophores through intramolecular electrostatic locking and their potential applications in clinical diagnosis and biomedical research.

A highly sensitive fluorescence biosensor for aflatoxins B1 detection based on polydiacetylene liposomes combined with exonuclease III-assisted recycling amplification.

Afluorescence biosensor for determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)based on polydiacetylene (PDA) liposomes and exonuclease III (EXO III)-assisted recycling amplification was developed. The AFB1 aptamer partially hybridizes with complementary DNA (cDNA), which is released upon recognition of AFB1 by the aptamer. Subsequently, the cDNA hybridizes with hairpin H to form double-stranded DNA that undergoes digestion by EXO III, resulting in the cyclic release of cDNA and generation of capture DNA for further reaction. The capture DNA then hybridizes with probe modified on PDA liposomes, leading to aggregation of liposomes and subsequent fluorescence production. This strategy exhibited a limit of detection of 0.18 ng/mL within the linear range 1-100 ng/mL with adetermination coefficient > 0.99. The recovery ranged from 92.81 to 106.45%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) between 1.73 and 4.26%, for corn, brown rice, peanut butter, and wheatsamples. The stability, accuracy, and specificity of the method demonstrated the applicability for realsampleanalysis.

Optofluidic photonic crystal fiber platform for sensitive and reliable fluorescence based biosensing.

Biosensing plays a pivotal role in various scientific domains, offering significant contributions to medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and biotechnology. Fluorescence biosensing relies on the fluorescence emission from labelled biomolecules to enable sensitive and selective identification and quantification of specific biological targets in various samples. Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have led to the development of optofluidic fibers enabling efficient light-liquid interaction within small liquid volume. Herein, we present the development of a user-friendly optofluidic-fiber platform with simple hardware requirements for sensitive and reliable fluorescence biosensing with high measurement repeatability. We demonstrate a sensitivity improvement of the fluorescence emission up to 17 times compared to standard cuvette measurement, with a limit of detection of Cy5 fluorophore as low as 100 pM. The improvement in measurement repeatability is exploited for detecting haptoglobin protein, a relevant biomarker to diagnose several diseases, by using commercially available Cy5 labelled antibodies. The study aims to showcase an optofluidic platform leveraging the benefits provided by optofluidic fibers, which encompass easy light injection, robustness, and high sensitivity.

Multiplexed Profiling of CDK Kinase Activities in Tumor Biopsies with Fluorescent Peptide Biosensors.

Detection of disease biomarkers constitutes a major challenge for the development of personalized and predictive diagnostics as well as companion assays. Protein kinases (PKs) involved in the coordination of cell cycle progression and proliferation that are hyperactivated in human cancers constitute attractive pharmacological targets and relevant biomarkers. Although it is relatively straightforward to assess the relative abundance of PKs in a biological sample, there is not always a direct correlation with enzymatic activity, which is regulated by several posttranslational mechanisms. Studies of relative abundance therefore convey limited information, and the lack of selective, sensitive, and standardized tools together with the inherent complexity of biological samples makes it difficult to quantify PK activities in physio-pathological tissues. To address this challenge, we have developed a toolbox of fluorescent biosensors that report on CDK activities in a sensitive, selective, dose-dependent, and quantitative fashion, which we have implemented to profile CDK activity signatures in cancer cell lines and biopsies from human tumors. In this study, we report on a standardized and calibrated biosensing approach to quantify CDK1,2,4, and 6 activities simultaneously through a combination of four different biosensors in a panel of 40 lung adenocarcinoma and 40 follicular lymphoma samples. CDK activity profiling highlighted two major patterns which were further correlated with age, sex of patients, tumor size, grade, and genetic and immunohistochemical features of the biopsies. Multiplex CDKACT biosensing technology provides new and complementary information relative to current genetic and immunohistochemical characterization of tumor biopsies, which will be useful for diagnostic purposes, potentially guiding therapeutic decision. These fluorescent peptide biosensors offer promise for personalized diagnostics based on kinase activity profiling.

Metasurface Platform Incorporating Aggregation Induced Emission Based Biosensor for Enhanced Human Serum Albumin Detection

AbstractMetasurfaces exhibit excellent optical performance to enhance the light–matter interaction of target molecules in biosensing based on its well‐optimized nanostructured unit cells. In the meantime, fluorescence (FL) biosensors with aggregation induced emissions (AIE) features also demonstrate outstanding performance in biomarker detection due to their fast response, high selectivity, and low background noise. Nevertheless, extremely low‐level analytes are difficult to detect in practical applications since complex urine samples include a number of uncontrolled variables such as impurities, autofluorescence, other urine components, etc. At present, improving optical signal sensitivity of human serum albumin (HSA) detection is always a big challenge to overcome such interference in human urine scenarios. In this work, first an AIE‐based FL biosensor TPE‐4TA is combined with an all‐dielectric metasurface platform to achieve quantitative detection of trace HSA in urine by utilizing biofunctionalization protocols on the silicon (Si) nanostructures. The results indicate significant FL enhancement in the metasurface platform that offers a promising pathway for improving biomarker detection in the future.

Fully automated viability and toxicity screening—A reliable all‐in‐one attempt

AbstractBackgroundThe CRISPR/Cas9 technology is nowadays a common tool for genome editing to achieve new insights into, for example, diagnostics and therapeutics in cancer and genetic disorders. Cell proliferation and anticancer drug response studies are widely used to evaluate the impact of editing. However, these assays are often time‐consuming, expensive, and reproducibility is an issue. To overcome this, we developed a fast and cheap assay that combines a fully automated multispectral fluorescence microscopy platform with a nuclei staining and open‐source software analysis.MethodsHere, we generated different LEDGF/p75 model cell lines to validate the effect on proliferation and chemosensitivity. Therefore, a fast protocol for an optimized all‐in‐one attempt for cytotoxicity screenings and proliferation analysis of adherent cells in a 96‐well plate format was established using differential staining with two fluorescent dyes (Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide) for live/dead cell discrimination. Subsequently, an automated cell nuclei count and analysis were performed using bioimage informatics.ResultsWith the new established assay technology, up to 50,000 cells/well can be detected and analyzed in a 96‐well plate, resulting in a fast and accurate verification of viability and proliferation with consistency of 98% compared to manual counting. Our screening revealed that LEDGF depletion using CRISPR/Cas9 showed a diminished proliferation and chemosensitivity independent of cell line origin. Moreover, LEDGF depletion caused a significant increase in 𝛾H2AX foci, indicating a substantial increase in DNA double strand breaks. LEDGF/p75 overexpression enhanced proliferation and chemoresistance underlining the role of LEDGF in DNA damage response.ConclusionIndependent of cancer cell type, LEDGF/p75 is a central player in DNA damage repair and is implicated in chemoresistance. Moreover, our automated fluorescence biosensor technology allowed fast and reliable data acquisition without any fixation or additional washing steps. Additionally, data analysis was implemented using the modular open‐source software that can be adapted as needed.

Aptamer-carbon quantum dots and silver nanoparticles construct a FRET sensor for sensitive detection of E. coli

E. coli is considered to be one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens and precise detection of E. coli in food is required to ensure the quality and safety of food. In this work, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared from grapefruit peel as a carbon source by microwave heating method. A fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based fluorescent biosensor was constructed by combining CQDs with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for rapid detection of E. coli (BL21). The prepared CQDs showed good dispersion under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with a spherical shape and an average particle size of 7.4 nm. The CQDs showed bright green fluorescence under UV light irradiation, which was strongly fluorescent (> 1.0 × 103 a.u.) and there was no change in fluorescence intensity over 150 days. Its fluorescence transduction is based on the spectral overlap between the donor (CQDs) emission and the acceptor (nanoparticles) absorbance. The fluorescence of CQDs attached to the aptamer is burst in the presence of Ag NPs. Upon addition of a specific E. coli (BL21) solution, an aptamer-target complex is formed and the preferential interaction of the aptamer with the specific bacteria leads to the release of CQDs and Ag NPs. After a period of incubation, the bacteria are centrifuged, resulting in the precipitation of E. coli aptamer couples and Ag NPs, and therefore the recovery of CQDs fluorescence. This method allows specific detection of E. coli (BL21) in a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. The final results show that the sensor has a linear range of 2×103 ∼ 2×108 CFU·mL−1 and a low detection limit of 77 CFU·mL−1 for E. coli.

Fluorescent riboswitch-controlled biosensors for the genome scale analysis of metabolic pathways

Fluorescent detection in cells has been tremendously developed over the years and now benefits from a large array of reporters that can provide sensitive and specific detection in real time. However, the intracellular monitoring of metabolite levels still poses great challenges due to the often complex nature of detected metabolites. Here, we provide a systematic analysis of thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) metabolism in Escherichia coli by using a TPP-sensing riboswitch that controls the expression of the fluorescent gfp reporter. By comparing different combinations of reporter fusions and TPP-sensing riboswitches, we determine key elements that are associated with strong TPP-dependent sensing. Furthermore, by using the Keio collection as a proxy for growth conditions differing in TPP levels, we perform a high-throughput screen analysis using high-density solid agar plates. Our study reveals several genes whose deletion leads to increased or decreased TPP levels. The approach developed here could be applicable to other riboswitches and reporter genes, thus representing a framework onto which further development could lead to highly sophisticated detection platforms allowing metabolic screens and identification of orphan riboswitches.

Novel hydrogel pillar array based ratiometric multicolor fluorescence biosensor for visual detection of alkaline phosphatase activity

Enzyme-induced in-situ fluorescence is crucial for the development of biosensing mechanisms and correlative spectroscopic analysis. Inspired by simple p-aminophenol (AP)-controlled synthesis and the specific catalytic reaction of 4-aminophenyl phosphate (APP) triggered by alkaline phosphatase (ALP), our research proposed a strategy to prepare carbon dots (CDs) as fluorescent signals for ALP detection using AP and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) as the precursors. The further constructed ratiometric fluorescence sensor reduced the detection limit of ALP to 0.075 μU/mL by a significant margin. Considering the need for point-of-care testing (POCT), we chose agarose for the preparation of portable hydrogel sensors so that even untrained personnel can quickly achieve semi-quantitative visual detection of ALP using colorimetric cards. These results demonstrate the practical applicability of ratiometric fluorescence sensing hydrogel pillar arrays, which are important for high-sensitivity, visualization, and portable rapid enzyme activity assays.

AspSnFR: A genetically encoded biosensor for real-time monitoring of aspartate in live cells

Aspartate is crucial for nucleotide synthesis, ammonia detoxification, and maintaining redox balance via the malate-aspartate-shuttle (MAS). To disentangle these multiple roles of aspartate metabolism, tools are required that measure aspartate concentrations in real time and in live cells. We introduce AspSnFR, a genetically encoded green fluorescent biosensor for intracellular aspartate, engineered through displaying and screening biosensor libraries on mammalian cells. In live cells, AspSnFR is able to precisely and quantitatively measure cytosolic aspartate concentrations and dissect its production from glutamine. Combining high-content imaging of AspSnFR with pharmacological perturbations exposes differences in metabolic vulnerabilities of aspartate levels based on nutrient availability. Further, AspSnFR facilitates tracking of aspartate export from mitochondria through SLC25A12, the MAS' key transporter. We show that SLC25A12 is a rapidly responding and direct route to couple Ca2+ signaling with mitochondrial aspartate export. This establishes SLC25A12 as a crucial link between cellular signaling, mitochondrial respiration, and metabolism.