From basic study inspired by the functions of siderophores to applied research

Iron has extremely low solubility in water. Researchers have focused on the remarkable ability of plants and microorganisms to release small organic molecules known as “siderophores” into the environment to selectively absorb and capture iron for cellular uptake. Subsequently, by mimicking the structures and functions of natural siderophores, researchers have synthesized artificial siderophores to provide useful functions such as drug delivery, antibiotic transport, medical imaging, pollutant removal, and plant growth promotion, demonstrating the application and expansion of siderophore research. This review provides an overview of the research conducted to date which has led advances in siderophore chemistry, ranging from fundamental discoveries to significant new applications. We then discuss the potential for our research in selective capture of microorganisms using artificial siderophores to contribute to development of applications in microbial sensors and catalytic reactions and outline the directions of the next era of siderophore research.