A novel mitotropic oligolysine nanocarrier: Targeted delivery of covalently bound D-Luciferin to cell mitochondria

► Oligolysine functionalization with triphenylphosphonium for mitochondrial targeting. ► Improvement of parent oligolysine cell internalization-specific to mitochondria. ► Mitochondrial delivery of d-luciferin covalently attached to mitotropic oligolysine. ► Long-lasting, controlled release of oligolysine mitotropic carrier-bound luciferin.