Two-photon uncaging: The chemist point of view

Molecular engineering of two-photon sensitive photolabile protecting groups (also called cages) have been performed. We present here the design, molecular calculations, synthesis and characterizations of new one-dimensional caging platforms based on dissymmetrical donor-acceptor or symmetrical acceptor-acceptor architectures, which are the most efficient two-photon cages described to date. The caged substance chosen for our study is glutamate, one of the most important neurotransmitter in mammals, and we will describe in the conclusion cutting edge neurophysiological experiments using these cages. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.