Time-resolved long-lived luminescence imaging method employing luminescent lanthanide probes with a new microscopy system

A new fluorescence imaging system is described for visualizing biomolecules within living biological samples by using time-resolved, long-lived luminescence microscopy (TRLLM). The changes of intracelluar ionic zinc [(Zn.sup.2]) concentration is monitored by using a [Zn.sup.2}-selective luminescent [Eu.sup.3} chemosensor [Eu-7].