Near-infrared fluorescence lifetime imaging: fluorophores, methods, and applications

Significance

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) provides molecular and functional contrast that encodes local biochemical and biophysical environments beyond what fluorescence intensity alone can reveal. Realizing this potential across biological imaging and emerging clinical applications requires rigorous fluorophore characterization and a critical assessment of the photophysics, measurement capabilities, and conditions governing reliable lifetime interpretation.