| AuNC | Gold nanoclusters |
| BCECF | 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-carboxyfluorescein |
| BSA | Bovine serum albumin |
| CFDA | Carboxyfluorescein di-acetate |
| FA | Fluoresceinamine |
| FAM/CF | Carboxyfluorescein |
| FDA | Fluorescein di-acetate |
| FITC | Fluorescein isothiocyanate |
| FRET | Förster resonance energy transfer |
| NP | Nanoparticles |
| pHin/ex | Intra/extra cellular pH |
| SNARF | Seminaphtharhodafluor |