Ingle, JaypalsingJaypalsingIngleDedaniya, HirenHirenDedaniyaMayya, ChaithraChaithraMayyaMondal, AnirbanAnirbanMondalBhatia, DhirajDhirajBhatiaBasu, SudiptaSudiptaBasu2025-08-312025-08-312022-05-2510.1002/chem.2022002032-s2.0-85128454194https://d8.irins.org/handle/IITG2025/2607535302252Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has emerged as one of the interesting sub-cellular organelles due to its role in myriads of biological phenomena. Subsequently, visualization of the structure-function and dynamics of ER remained a major challenge to understand its involvement in different diseased states including cancer. To illuminate the ER, herein we have designed and synthesized γ-resorcyclic acid-based small molecules, which showed remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property in water. This AIE property was originated from the dual intramolecular H-bonding leading to the self-assembled 2D aggregation confirmed by pH- and temperature-dependent fluorescence quenching studies as well as scanning electron microscopy. These small molecules illuminated the sub-cellular ER in HeLa cervical cancer cells as well as non-cancerous RPE-1 human retinal epithelial cells within 1 h. These novel small molecules have the potential to light up ER chemical biology in diseased states.falseaggregation-induced emission | endoplasmic reticulum | hydrazide-hydrazones | intramolecular dual H-bondingArticle1521376525 May 20225e202200203arJournal5WOS:000783840100001