Advances in Application of Azobenzene as a Trigger in Biomedicine: Molecular Design and Spontaneous Assembly

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 33; no. 26; pp. e2007290 - n/a
• Main Authors: Cheng, Hong‐Bo, Zhang, Shuchun, Qi, Ji, Liang, Xing‐Jie, Yoon, Juyoung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Animals; Azo compounds; Azo Compounds - chemistry; Azo Compounds - pharmacology; azobenzene; Biomedical materials; biomedicine; bio‐optical windows; Fluorescence; Functional materials; Humans; Hypoxia; Light; Materials science; Molecular machines; Pharmacology; photoswitches; Switches; azobenzene; hypoxia; photoswitches; biomedicine; bio-optical windows
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202007290

Azobenzene is a well‐known derivative of stimulus‐responsive molecular switches and has shown superior performance as a functional material in biomedical applications. The results of multiple studies have led to the development of light/hypoxia‐responsive azobenzene for biomedical use. In recent years, long‐wavelength‐responsive azobenzene has been developed. Matching the longer wavelength absorption and hypoxia‐response characteristics of the azobenzene switch unit to the bio‐optical window results in a large and effective stimulus response. In addition, azobenzene has been used as a hypoxia‐sensitive connector via biological cleavage under appropriate stimulus conditions. This has resulted in on/off state switching of properties such as pharmacology and fluorescence activity. Herein, recent advances in the design and fabrication of azobenzene as a trigger in biomedicine are summarized. Azobenzene is a well‐known derivative of stimulus‐responsive molecular switches and has shown superior performance as a functional material in biomedical applications. The results of numerous studies have led to the development of light/hypoxia‐responsive azobenzene for biomedical use. Recent advances in the design and fabrication of azobenzene as a trigger in biomedicine are summarized.