Machine-Learning-Assisted Rational Design of Si―Rhodamine as Cathepsin-pH-Activated Probe for Accurate Fluorescence Navigation

High-performance fluorescent probes stand as indispensable tools in fluorescence-guided imaging, and are crucial for precise delineation of focal tissue while minimizing unnecessary removal of healthy tissue. Herein, machine-learning-assisted strategy to investigate the current available xanthene dyes is first proposed, and a quantitative prediction model to guide the rational synthesis of novel fluorescent molecules with the desired pH responsivity is constructed. Two novel Si & horbar;rhodamine derivatives are successfully achieved and the cathepsin/pH sequentially activated probe Si & horbar;rhodamine & horbar;cathepsin-pH (SiR & horbar;CTS-pH) is constructed. The results reveal that SiR & horbar;CTS-pH exhibits higher signal-to-noise ratio of fluorescence imaging, compared to single pH or cathepsin-activated probe. Moreover, SiR & horbar;CTS-pH shows strong differentiation abilities for tumor cells and tissues and accurately discriminates the complex hepatocellular carcinoma tissues from normal ones, indicating its significant application potential in clinical practice. Therefore, the continuous development of xanthene dyes and the rational design of superior fluorescent molecules through machine-learning-assisted model broaden the path and provide more advanced methods to researchers. The development of machine learning has dramatically revolutionized the process of material discovery. Here, the desired xanthene dyes are rational designed through machine learning and dual-locked probe for precise imaging of complex hepatocellular carcinoma is constructed. These results not only affirm the validity of the model but also guide the design of novel probes with practical applications. image