A BODIPY biosensor to detect and drive self-assembly of diphenylalanine.

Diphenylalanine (FF), as the smallest unit and core recognition motif of β-amyloid (Aβ), could self-assemble into nanofibers, which induces an early onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Green/near-infrared fluorescent BODIPY probes were designed and synthesized to detect FF-assembly, providing unique insights into the chemical and molecular mechanism of Aβ aggregation and drug development for AD.