Molecular Sensors Research Articles

Smartphone-based point-of-care testing of the SARS-CoV-2: A systematic review

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus's worldwide pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for reliable, quick, and affordable diagnostic tests for comprehending and controlling the epidemic by tracking the world population. Given how crucial it is to monitor and manage the pandemic, researchers have recently concentrated on creating quick detection techniques. Although PCR is still the preferred clinical diagnostic test, there is a pressing need for substitutes that are sufficiently rapid and cost-effective to provide a diagnosis at the time of use. The creation of a quick and simple POC equipment is necessary for home testing. Our review's goal is to provide an overview of the many methods utilized to identify SARS-CoV 2 in various samples utilizing portable devices, as well as any potential applications for smartphones in epidemiological research and detection. The point of care (POC) employs a range of microfluidic biosensors based on smartphones, including molecular sensors, immunological biosensors, hybrid biosensors, and imaging biosensors. For example, a number of tools have been created for the diagnosis of COVID-19, based on various theories. Integrated portable devices can be created using loop-mediated isothermal amplification, which combines isothermal amplification methods with colorimetric detection. Electrochemical approaches have been regarded as a potential substitute for optical sensing techniques that utilize fluorescence for detection and as being more beneficial to the Minimizing and simplicity of the tools used for detection, together with techniques that can amplify DNA or RNA under constant temperature conditions, without the need for repeated heating and cooling cycles. Many research have used smartphones for virus detection and data visualization, making these techniques more user-friendly and broadly distributed throughout nations. Overall, our research provides a review of different novel, non-invasive, affordable, and efficient methods for identifying COVID-19 contagious infected people and halting the disease's transmission.

Microneedle-Integrated Sensors for Extraction of Skin Interstitial Fluid and Metabolic Analysis.

Skin interstitial fluid (ISF) has emerged as a fungible biofluid sample for blood serum and plasma for disease diagnosis and therapy. The sampling of skin ISF is highly desirable considering its easy accessibility, no damage to blood vessels, and reduced risk of infection. Particularly, skin ISF can be sampled using microneedle (MN)-based platforms in the skin tissues, which exhibit multiple advantages including minimal invasion of the skin tissues, less pain, ease of carrying, capacity for continuous monitoring, etc. In this review, we focus on the current development of microneedle-integrated transdermal sensors for collecting ISF and detecting specific disease biomarkers. Firstly, we discussed and classified microneedles according to their structural design, including solid MNs, hollow MNs, porous MNs, and coated MNs. Subsequently, we elaborate on the construction of MN-integrated sensors for metabolic analysis with highlights on the electrochemical, fluorescent, chemical chromogenic, immunodiagnostic, and molecular diagnostic MN-integrated sensors. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future direction for developing MN-based platforms for ISF extraction and sensing applications.

RNAs as Sensors of Oxidative Stress in Bacteria.

Oxidative stress is an important and pervasive physical stress encountered by all kingdoms of life, including bacteria. In this review, we briefly describe the nature of oxidative stress, highlight well-characterized protein-based sensors (transcription factors) of reactive oxygen species that serve as standards for molecular sensors in oxidative stress, and describe molecular studies that have explored the potential of direct RNA sensitivity to oxidative stress. Finally, we describe the gaps in knowledge of RNA sensors-particularly regarding the chemical modification of RNA nucleobases. RNA sensors are poised to emerge as an essential layer of understanding and regulating dynamic biological pathways in oxidative stress responses in bacteria and, thus, also represent an important frontier of synthetic biology.

Dynamic biophysical responses of neuronal cell nuclei and cytoskeletal structure following high impulse loading.

Cells are continuously exposed to dynamic environmental cues that influence their behavior. Mechanical cues can influence cellular and genomic architecture, gene expression, and intranuclear mechanics, providing evidence of mechanosensing by the nucleus, and a mechanoreciprocity between the nucleus and environment. Force disruption at the tissue level through aging, disease, or trauma, propagates to the nucleus and can have lasting consequences on proper functioning of the cell and nucleus. While the influence of mechanical cues leading to axonal damage has been well studied in neuronal cells, the mechanics of the nucleus following high impulse loading is still largely unexplored. Using an in vitro model of traumatic neural injury, we show a dynamic nuclear behavioral response to impulse stretch (up to 170% strain per second) through quantitative measures of nuclear movement, including tracking of rotation and internal motion. Differences in nuclear movement were observed between low and high strain magnitudes. Increased exposure to impulse stretch exaggerated the decrease in internal motion, assessed by particle tracking microrheology, and intranuclear displacements, assessed through high-resolution deformable image registration. An increase in F-actin puncta surrounding nuclei exposed to impulse stretch additionally demonstrated a corresponding disruption of the cytoskeletal network. Our results show direct biophysical nuclear responsiveness in neuronal cells through force propagation from the substrate to the nucleus. Understanding how mechanical forces perturb the morphological and behavioral response can lead to a greater understanding of how mechanical strain drives changes within the cell and nucleus, and may inform fundamental nuclear behavior after traumatic axonal injury. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The nucleus of the cell has been implicated as a mechano-sensitive organelle, courting molecular sensors and transmitting physical cues in order to maintain cellular and tissue homeostasis. Disruption of this network due to disease or high velocity forces (e.g., trauma) can not only result in orchestrated biochemical cascades, but also biophysical perturbations. Using an in vitro model of traumatic neural injury, we aimed to provide insight into the neuronal nuclear mechanics and biophysical responses at a continuum of strain magnitudes and after repetitive loads. Our image-based methods demonstrate mechanically-induced changes in cellular and nuclear behavior after high intensity loading and have the potential to further define mechanical thresholds of neuronal cell injury.

Bifunctional metal-organic frameworks as selective turn-on fluorescence sensors for tryptophan and heterogeneous catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation reaction

Two new doubly interpenetrated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with formulas [{Zn(L1)(5-nipa)}·DMA]α (1a) and [{Cd(L2)(5-nipa)(H2O)}]α (1b) have been discussed herein, where [L1 = N,N'-(oxybis(4,1-phenylene))diisonicotinamide; L2 = N,N'-(methylenebis(4,1-phenylene)) diisonicotinamide; 5-H2nipa = 5-nitroisophthalic acid; DMA = dimethylacetamide]. A single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1a exhibits a 2D-interpenetrated interwoven sheet and finally adapts a 3D framework structure with the help of π···π stacking interactions. Similarly, 1b displays a two-fold interpenetrated 2D sheet-like architecture and is finally adjusted to a 3D structure. Both 1a and 1b feature channels with a cross-section of 25.06 × 25.06 Å2 and 24.01 × 24.01 Å2, respectively, running along the b-axis. Topological analysis of 1a and 1b by ToposPro suggests a (4)-connected uninodal sql topology with point symbol {44.62}. Further, 1a and 1b were exploited as molecular sensors for several amino acids exposing different shapes and sizes and exhibiting selective turn-on fluorescence sensing towards biologically important D/L-tryptophan with the notable limit of detection values of 0.084/0.110 μM and 0.143/0.141 μM, respectively, in aqueous medium. In addition, 1a and 1b were also exploited as heterogeneous catalysts towards several assorted aldehydes having different electronic environments, including sterically demanding aldehydes, under mild reaction conditions and obtained up to 97% of the respective Knoevenagel condensation product. Importantly, sterically hindered aldehydes also worked well with the MOF catalysts 1a and 1b, but showed comparatively low conversion. It is important to mention that in both cases, these MOF materials are recyclable for up to five consecutive runs without displaying any substantial loss in their sensing or catalytic activities. Moreover, the present investigation cultivates a new vision to design novel luminescent MOFs that can be used as multifunctional materials for the turn-on sensing of small organic molecules as well as instigated as heterogeneous catalysts in diverse organic transformation reactions.

Data-driven design of a multiplexed, peptide-sensitized transistor to detect breath VOC markers of COVID-19.

Exhaled human breath contains a rich mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) whose concentration can vary in response to disease or other stressors. Using simulated odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and machine learning methods, we designed a multiplex of short VOC- and carbon-binding peptide probes that detect a characteristic "VOC fingerprint". Specifically, we target VOCs associated with COVID-19 in a compact, molecular sensor array that directly transduces vapor composition into multi-channel electrical signals. Rapidly synthesizable, chimeric VOC- and solid-binding peptides were derived from selected OBPs using multi-sequence alignment with protein database structures. Selective peptide binding to targeted VOCs and sensor surfaces was validated using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance. VOC sensing was demonstrated by peptide-sensitized, exposed-channel carbon nanotube transistors. The data-to-device pipeline enables the development of novel devices for non-invasive monitoring, diagnostics of diseases, and environmental exposure assessment.

Au/TiO2-based molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical sensor for dibutyl phthalate detection.

A photoelectrochemical molecular imprinting sensor based on Au/TiO2 nanocomposite was constructed for the detection of dibutyl phthalate. Firstly, TiO2 nanorods were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by hydrothermal method. Then, gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited on TiO2 to fabricate Au/TiO2. Finally, molecular imprinted polymer was electropolymerized on the Au/TiO2surface to construct MIP/Au/TiO2 PEC sensor for DBP. The conjugation effect of MIP accelerates the electron transfer between TiO2 and MIP, which can greatly improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency and sensitivity of the sensor. In addition, MIP can also provide sites for highly selective recognition of dibutyl phthalate molecules. Under optimal experimental conditions, the prepared photoelectrochemical sensor was used for the quantitative determination of DBP and the results showed a wide linear range (50 to 500nM), a low limit of detection (0.698nM), and good selectivity. The sensor was used in a study of real water samples to show that it has promising applications in environmental analysis.

Novel graphene electrochemical transistors incorporating zirconia inorganic molecular imprinted layer：Design, construction and application for highly sensitive and selective detection of acetaminophen

Owing to their intrinsic amplifying effect together with chemical stability, graphene electrochemical transistor sensors (GECTs) are gaining momentum for sensing applications. However, the surface of GECTs for different detection substances must be modified with different recognition molecules, which was cumbersome and lack a universal method. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is a kind of polymer with specific recognition function for given molecules. Here, MIP and GECTs were combined to effectively solve the problem of weak selectivity of GECTs, and achieve the high sensitivity and selectivity of MIP-GECTs equipment in detecting acetaminophen (AP) in complex urine environment. A novel molecular imprinting sensor based on Au nanoparticles modified zirconia (ZrO2) inorganic molecular imprinting membrane on reduced graphene oxide (ZrO2-MIP-Au/rGO) was proposed. ZrO2-MIP-Au/rGO was synthesized by one-step electropolymerization using AP as template, ZrO2 precursor as the functional monomer. The –OH group on ZrO2 and the –OH/–CONH– group on AP were easily bonded by hydrogen bonding to form a MIP layer on the surface, which allows the sensor to have a large number of imprinted cavities for AP specific adsorption. As a proof of method, the GECTs based on ZrO2-MIP-Au/rGO functional gate electrode has the characteristics of wide linear range (0.1 nM-4 mM), low detection limit (0.1 nM) and high selectivity for AP detection. These achievements highlight the introduction of specific and selective MIP to GECTs with unique amplification function, which could effectively solve the problem of selectivity of GECTs in complex environments, suggesting the potential of MIP-GECTs in real-time diagnosis.

Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) Kills Cancer Cells Undergoing Unscheduled Re-replication.

Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) is an increasingly prominent predictive biomarker and a molecular sensor for a wide range of clinical drugs: topoisomerases, PARP and replication inhibitors, and platinum derivatives. To expand the spectrum of drugs and pathways targeting SLFN11, we ran a high-throughput screen with 1,978 mechanistically annotated, oncology-focused compounds in two isogenic pairs of SLFN11-proficient and -deficient cells (CCRF-CEM and K562). We identified 29 hit compounds that selectively kill SLFN11-proficient cells, including not only previously known DNA-targeting agents, but also the neddylation inhibitor pevonedistat (MLN-4924) and the DNA polymerase α inhibitor AHPN/CD437, which both induced SLFN11 chromatin recruitment. By inactivating cullin-ring E3 ligases, pevonedistat acts as an anticancer agent partly by inducing unscheduled re-replication through supraphysiologic accumulation of CDT1, an essential factor for replication initiation. Unlike the known DNA-targeting agents and AHPN/CD437 that recruit SLFN11 onto chromatin in 4 hours, pevonedistat recruited SLFN11 at late time points (24 hours). While pevonedistat induced unscheduled re-replication in SLFN11-deficient cells after 24 hours, the re-replication was largely blocked in SLFN11-proficient cells. The positive correlation between sensitivity to pevonedistat and SLFN11 expression was also observed in non-isogenic cancer cells in three independent cancer cell databases (NCI-60, CTRP: Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal and GDSC: Genomic of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer). The present study reveals that SLFN11 not only detects stressed replication but also inhibits unscheduled re-replication induced by pevonedistat, thereby enhancing its anticancer efficacy. It also suggests SLFN11 as a potential predictive biomarker for pevonedistat in ongoing and future clinical trials.

Comparison of Aptamer Signaling Mechanisms Reveals Disparities in Sensor Response and Strategies to Eliminate False Signals.

Aptamers are nucleic acid-based affinity reagents that have been incorporated into a variety of molecular sensor formats. However, many aptamer sensors exhibit insufficient sensitivity and specificity for real-world applications, and although considerable effort has been dedicated to improving sensitivity, sensor specificity has remained largely neglected and understudied. In this work, we have developed a series of sensors using aptamers for the small-molecule drugs flunixin, fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl and compare their performance─in particular, focusing on their specificity. Contrary to expectations, we observe that sensors using the same aptamer operating under the same physicochemical conditions produce divergent responses to interferents depending on their signal transduction mechanism. For instance, aptamer beacon sensors are susceptible to false-positives from interferents that weakly associate with DNA, while strand-displacement sensors suffer from false-negatives due to interferent-associated signal suppression when both the target and interferent are present. Biophysical analyses suggest that these effects arise from aptamer-interferent interactions that are either nonspecific or induce aptamer conformational changes that are distinct from those induced by true target-binding events. We also demonstrate strategies for improving the sensitivity and specificity of aptamer sensors with the development of a "hybrid beacon," wherein the incorporation of a complementary DNA competitor into an aptamer beacon selectively hinders interferent─but not target─binding and signaling, while simultaneously overcoming signal suppression by interferents. Our results highlight the need for systematic and thorough testing of aptamer sensor response and new aptamer selection methods that optimize specificity more effectively than traditional counter-SELEX.

DNA Nanotechnology for Investigating Mechanical Signaling in the Immune System.

Immune recognition occurs at specialized cell-cell junctions when immune cells and target cells physically touch. In this junction, groups of receptor-ligand complexes assemble and experience molecular forces that are ultimately generated by the cellular cytoskeleton. These forces are in the range of piconewton (pN) but play crucial roles in immune cell activation and subsequent effector responses. In this minireview, we will review the development of DNA based molecular tension sensors and their applications in mapping and quantifying mechanical forces experienced by immunoreceptors including T-cell receptor (TCR), Lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1), and the B-cell receptor (BCR) among others. In addition, we will highlight the use of DNA as a mechanical gate to manipulate mechanotransduction and decipher how mechanical forces regulate antigen discrimination and receptor signaling.

DNA Nanotechnology for Investigating Mechanical Signaling in the Immune System

AbstractImmune recognition occurs at specialized cell‐cell junctions when immune cells and target cells physically touch. In this junction, groups of receptor‐ligand complexes assemble and experience molecular forces that are ultimately generated by the cellular cytoskeleton. These forces are in the range of piconewton (pN) but play crucial roles in immune cell activation and subsequent effector responses. In this minireview, we will review the development of DNA based molecular tension sensors and their applications in mapping and quantifying mechanical forces experienced by immunoreceptors including T‐cell receptor (TCR), Lymphocyte function‐associated antigen (LFA‐1), and the B‐cell receptor (BCR) among others. In addition, we will highlight the use of DNA as a mechanical gate to manipulate mechanotransduction and decipher how mechanical forces regulate antigen discrimination and receptor signaling.

Engineered molecular sensors for quantifying cell surface crowding

Cells mediate interactions with the extracellular environment through a crowded assembly of transmembrane proteins, glycoproteins and glycolipids on their plasma membrane. The extent to which surface crowding modulates the biophysical interactions of ligands, receptors, and other macromolecules is poorly understood due to the lack of methods to quantify surface crowding on native cell membranes. In this work, we demonstrate that physical crowding on reconstituted membranes and live cell surfaces attenuates the effective binding affinity of macromolecules such as IgG antibodies in a surface crowding-dependent manner. We combine experiment and simulation to design a crowding sensor based on this principle that provides a quantitative readout of cell surface crowding. Our measurements reveal that surface crowding decreases IgG antibody binding by 2 to 20 fold in live cells compared to a bare membrane surface. Our sensors show that sialic acid, a negatively charged monosaccharide, contributes disproportionately to red blood cell surface crowding via electrostatic repulsion, despite occupying only ~1% of the total cell membrane by mass. We also observe significant differences in surface crowding for different cell types and find that expression of single oncogenes can both increase and decrease crowding, suggesting that surface crowding may be an indicator of both cell type and state. Our high-throughput, single-cell measurement of cell surface crowding may be combined with functional assays to enable further biophysical dissection of the cell surfaceome.

Homo and heterometallic ruthenium and platinum complexes with multiple targets for therapeutic applications: a review

Abstract We are now well-positioned to comprehend carcinogenesis at a molecular level in greater detail due to significant technological advancements. Additionally, we are now able to rationally design and develop drug molecules with the ability to either selectively enhance or disrupt important biological processes, maximizing their therapeutic potential. This has heralded a new era in drug design. The heterometallic ruthenium–platinum complexes can be used as anticancer, photodynamic therapy, diabetes treatment, and molecular sensors for thiol-containing peptides due to their multifunctional interactions with nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA, RNA, and proteins. Compared to cisplatin and its Ru-based monometallic precursors, a significant number of reported ruthenium–platinum complexes exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity and tumor selectivity. Due to the covalent binding of the cis-PtIICl2 moiety to DNA, photoactive Ru(II)–Pt(II) complexes were designed to prelocalize a photodynamic therapy agent at the site of action. The development of ruthenium–platinum-based heterometallic complexes has recently advanced, opening up new avenues for the development of drugs that are more efficient. Metal complexes’ potential as important cancer therapeutic agents will be the primary focus of this review. The development of ruthenium and platinum-based mono and mixed-metal complexes with therapeutic and biomedical applications are discussed in detail in this article.

Insight into the effect of alloying on the adsorption of benzene on Ag(100) surface: DFT calculations

Heterogeneous catalysis, molecular sensors, and photovoltaics all rely on the interfaces between organic molecules and metal surfaces. Here, we study the adsorption of benzene on Ag(100) surface doped by Aun, Pdn, Ptn(n= 1–4), Au2Pd2, Au2Pt2 and Pd2Pt2 using density-functional theory (DFT), with the inclusion of van der Waals interactions, and compare with available computational and experimental result. The calculated quantities reveal that the interaction strength of Benzene with the surface gradually increases when it is doped by Pd or Pt atoms, showing a change in the nature of the interaction, from physisorption to chemisorption. We found that with surface allowing, one can tune the interaction strength. The charge transfer was found to occur from the molecule to the clean and doped surfaces with Au atoms and from the doped surface with Pd to the molecule. The redistribution of charge density indicates modifications in the features of the interface between the doped Ag(100) surfaces and benzene. In addition, alloying the Ag(100) surface with reactive TM changes substantially its electronic properties, which impacts its interactions with benzene. Finally, mixing two dopants or more can tune the electronic structure in designing more effective interfaces for various applications.

Fluorogenic Phenothiazine‐Derivative as Radical Sensors

AbstractThis study investigates the use of 10‐(4‐butoxyphenyl)‐10H‐phenothiazine (PTZ), a phenothiazine‐based molecule, for detecting chloroform and other chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs). Upon exposure to these compounds to the phenothiazine‐dervitive in presence light, a significant change in emission occurs, enabling naked‐eye detection. The visual detection range of this phenothiazine derivative extends down to concentrations as low as 5 ppm. We demonstrate the one‐time use of thin‐layer chromatography paper (TLC) sensors and glass‐based sensors for on‐site detection of chlorinated hydrocarbons using a light source such as sunlight, UV‐lamp, or a solar box. Our findings suggest that this phenothiazine‐derivative has potential as a simple, low‐cost, and effective sensing platform for chlorinated solvents, with practical applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. Furthermore, our results provide insights into the development of molecular sensors for detecting chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Model of a Molecular Proton Sensor in Taste Cells

Otopetrins represents a group of membrane proteins that function as proton-selective ion channels. Existing evidence indicates that Otop1, the eponym of the family, is a likely molecular sensor of protons involved in detecting acid stimuli in taste cells of type III. Acid stimuli is believed to initiate an inward current carried by protons through receptive apical membrane to depolarize a type III cell and trigger a train of action potentials driving afferent neurotransmission. While many details of this rather complicated process have not been uncovered yet, mathematical modelling could provide a sufficient insight into sour transduction. Here we present a mathematical model for describing dynamic and transport properties of Otop1 channel. The elaborated model appropriately describes proton currents through Otop1 under different conditions, and it could be employed for further modeling of sour responses of taste cells.

Direct Access to Functionalized Azulenes and Pseudoazulenes via Unconventional Alkyne Cyclization Reactions.

Owing to the unique chemical structure and photophysical properties of azulene, azulene derivatives show great promise for a wide range of prospective technical applications, such as molecular switching, sensors, solar cells, and biological activities. In addition to functionalization of the existed azulene cores, direct construction of azulenes via condensation with odd-membered carbocycles such as tropolone, 2-oxazulanone, cyclopentadiene, and 6-aminofulvene is another classical method for obtaining azulene derivatives. Although alkynes are widely explored for construction of benzene rings, several unconventional cyclization reactions with alkynes produce azulene, pseudoazulene, or azulenone skeletons. This minireview summarizes these interesting and practical cyclization with a classification based on the function of alkyne in the azulene formation process, aiming at capturing the attention of the scientific community to make efforts in the development of such nonalternant cyclization reactions of alkynes.

Solid-State Luminescence Turn-On Sensing Using MOF-Confined Reporter-Spacer-Receptor Architectures Facilitated by Quencher Displacement.

The reporter-spacer-receptor (RSR) approach is prevalent to develop molecular turn-on sensors. However, the fluorescent RSR sensors barely operate in solid state, which hinders their fabrication into devices for practical applications. Herein, we present a novel strategy to achieve solid-state luminescence turn-on sensing by assembling RSR architectures within MOF frameworks. Unlike the regular RSR systems, the framework-confined fluorophore and receptor are well arranged and separated even in the solid state. This concept is illustrated by a multicomponent MOF (Fc@NU-1000), which contains organic linkers with a highly luminescent pyrene core as the reporter, Zr6 nodes with unsaturated sites as the receptor, and the incorporated Fc molecules as the quencher. The separate incorporation of pyrene core and Fc in the multicomponent MOF favors an efficient pseudointramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process, resulting in significant luminescence quenching. Interestingly, such PET process can be blocked via the quencher displacement initiated by the phosphate analyte, therefore recovering the solid-state luminescence of MOF microcrystals. We found that Fc@NU-1000 is shown as a sensitive solid-state luminescence turn-on probe for phosphate with the naked-eye response at a low content. What's more, this study is the first example of confining a quencher displacement-based RSR system in the MOF framework for solid-state luminescence turn-on sensing, thus also providing new opportunities for MOF materials to develop luminescence turn-on sensors.

Triphenylamine-Modified Cinnamaldehyde Derivate as a Molecular Sensor for Viscosity Detection in Liquids.

Liquid safety is considered a serious public health problem; a convenient and effective viscosity determination method has been regarded as one of the powerful means to detect liquid safety. Herein, one kind of triphenylamine-modified cinnamaldehyde-based fluorescent sensor (3-(4'-(diphenylamino)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)acrylaldehyde (DPABA)) has been developed for sensing viscosity fluctuations in a liquid system, where a cinnamaldehyde derivative was extracted from one kind of natural plant cinnamon and acted as an acceptor, which has been combined with a triphenylamine derivate via the Suzuki coupling reaction within one facile step. Twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) was observed, and the rotation could be restricted in the high-viscosity microenvironment; thus, the fluorescent signal was released at 548 nm. Featured with a larger Stokes shift (223.8 nm in water, 145.0 nm in glycerol), high adaptability, sensitivity, selectivity, and good photostability, the capability of high signal-to-noise ratio sensing was achieved. Importantly, this sensor DPABA has achieved noninvasively identifying thickening efficiency investigation, and viscosity fluctuations during the liquid deterioration program have been screened as well. We believed that this unique strategy can accelerate intelligent molecular platforms toward liquid quality and safety inspection.