Table 1 Methods and developments in ROS detection

 Secondary oxidation product detection

Minimally invasive; Clinically used currently; Quantification feasible

Cannot visualize spatio-temporal ROS

[60]

 Small molecule colorimetric assays

Simple chemistry; Quantification feasible

Cannot visualize ROS in real time

[42]

 Redox sensitive fluorescent small molecules

High sensitivity; High spatial resolution (subcellular levels); Less expensive; Detect specific ROS types; Ex vivo histological detection possible

Drawbacks with stability and imaging time; Cytotoxicity of certain probes; Not good for longitudinal studies

[61, 62]

 Redox sensitive Fluorescent proteins

Tracking over unlimited time (built-in probes); Allows whole-body scanning; Targeted localization (subcellular levels)

Genetic modifications of cells/animals required

[49,50,51]

 FLIM and FRET based probes

Increased specificity and sensitivity; Multimodal imaging capability; High sensitivity; High spatial resolution (molecular levels)

More complex probe construction; Costly equipment

[43, 44]

 Nanoparticle delivery systems

Capacity for multiple cargos; Increased specificity and sensitivity; Enable targeted probe delivery

More complex probe construction

[63]