Editors’ Choice—Luminescent Oxygen Sensors: Valuable Tools for Spatiotemporal Exploration of Metabolism in In Vitro Systems

Abstract

A common biological theme on Earth is the importance of oxygen, regardless of an organism’s metabolic capabilities. This commonality makes the quantification of O2 essential in understanding life as we know it. There are many sensing methods that enable researchers to measure this important analyte, but not all sensors are compatible with every system. This perspective highlights common O2 sensing formats (and recent innovations) with the goal of guiding the reader towards a sensor choice for their desired application. We emphasize the importance of exploring unfamiliar metabolic processes, commercializing new sensors, and establishing collaborations for maximizing innovation and accelerating discovery.