Light-based technique, including optical imaging and photoregulation, has become one of the most important tools for both fundamental research and clinical practice, such as cell signal sensing, cancer diagnosis, tissue engineering, drug delivery, visual regulation, neuromodulation, and disease treatment. In particular, low energy near-infrared (NIR, 700-1700 nm) light possesses lower phototoxicity and higher tissue penetration depth in living systems as compared with ultraviolet/visible light, making it a promising tool for in vivo applications. Currently, the NIR light-based imaging and photoregulation strategies have offered a possibility to real-time sense and/or modulate specific cellular events in deep tissues with subcellular accuracy. Herein, the recent progress with respect to NIR light for monitoring and modulating the spatiotemporal dynamics of cell functions in living systems are summarized. In particular, the applications of NIR light-based techniques in cancer theranostics, regenerative medicine, and neuroscience research are systematically introduced and discussed. In addition, the challenges and prospects for NIR light-based cell sensing and regulating techniques are comprehensively discussed.

中文翻译：

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用于监测和调节生命系统中细胞功能的时空动态的先进近红外光。

包括光学成像和光调节在内的光技术已成为基础研究和临床实践最重要的工具之一，例如细胞信号传感、癌症诊断、组织工程、药物输送、视觉调节、神经调节和疾病治疗。特别是，与紫外/可见光相比，低能量近红外（NIR，700-1700 nm）光在生命系统中具有更低的光毒性和更高的组织穿透深度，使其成为体内应用的有前途的工具。目前，基于近红外光的成像和光调节策略提供了以亚细胞精度实时感知和/或调节深层组织中特定细胞事件的可能性。本文总结了近红外光用于监测和调节生命系统中细胞功能时空动态的最新进展。特别系统地介绍和讨论了近红外光技术在癌症治疗诊断、再生医学和神经科学研究中的应用。此外，还全面讨论了基于近红外光的细胞传感和调节技术的挑战和前景。