The present invention relates to a peptide consisting of a sequence of 5 to 30, preferably 6 to 12, most preferably 10 to 12 amino acids, wherein (a) at least ? of said amino acids have a functional group or side chain which is negatively charged at neutral pH; (b) amino acids which do not have a functional group or side chain which is negatively charged at neutral pH, if present, meet one or both of requirements (i) and (ii): (i) none of them has a functional group or side chain which is positively charged at neutral pH; and (ii) at least one of them has a side chain which does not bear a net charge at neutral pH or which has a functional group or side chain that does not bear a net charge at neutral pH.

This disclosure provides compositions and methods for a low-avidity, high-affinity and high-specificity biomolecular interaction that is rapidly reversible under physiological conditions. The methods comprise linking biological targets (such as molecules, proteins, DNA, cells, extracellular vesicles, etc.) with polymers and anti-polymer ligands and a way to reverse their binding using physiologically compatible polymeric compounds. The methods also comprise a way to combine different polymer/anti-polymer systems for orthogonal labeling. The compositions comprise labels including particles (fluorescent, magnetic, dense, etc.) conjugated to polymers or labels conjugated to anti-polymer antibodies. The compositions also comprise biomolecules (proteins, antibodies, DNA, etc.) conjugated to the polymers. These methods and compositions represent a major improvement to the state-of-the-art. They are particularly useful for separation and isolation of biological targets using particles, but have important application to other fields including fluorescent imaging.

A detection system includes a detection device including a space, defined by a wall surface, into which a liquid containing a biomolecular label and a liquid containing magnetic beads are introduced and a magnetic sensor having a surface forming a portion of the wall surface, wherein at least some of the magnetic beads bind to the biomolecular label immobilized on the surface of the magnetic sensor or to a molecule near the biomolecular label immobilized on the surface of the magnetic sensor; and a first magnetic-field applying mechanism that applies a magnetic field in a direction in which the magnetic beads are moved away from the surface of the magnetic sensor.

A method is provided for determining, the presence and concentration of an analyte by contacting said sample with a solution comprising: magnetic beads, a capture probe capable of binding said analyte, a reporter probe and cellulose, whereby, if the analyte is present, an MB-analyte-reporter-cellulase sandwich is formed; and then contacting said solution comprising said sandwich with an electrode covered with an electrically insulating layer comprising or consisting of cellulose and/or a cellulose derivative, wherein the MB-analyte-reporter-cellulase sandwich leads to degradation of the insulating layer thereby causing a measurable change in electrical properties at the electrode surface, wherein said change in electrical properties is a function of the amount of analyte in said sample. Devices and biosensor applying the method are also provided.

The present invention relates to a flow assay method in a liquid medium for an object (or element) of interest via the formation of aggregates of particles that are surface-functionalized by at least one functionalizing molecule, or receptor, specific for said object of interest.

Methods for detecting the presence or absence of, and for quantifying, one set of cells in a mixed cell population of at least two sets of cells especially Rh positive cells in a mixed population with Rh negative cells, as is found in a fetal maternal hemorrhage (FMH). The magnetic particles coated with anti-D antibodies are reacted with the Rh positive fetal cells in Rh negative maternal blood followed by a specific separation and quantifying technique. Gravitational forces or magnetic forces are used to move reacted magnetic particles to isolate, distinguish and quantify cells differentiated by antigenic composition. Rh positive cell volume is correlated to the volume of the original blood sample as an indication of the number of doses of RhIG needed to be administered to the mother to prevent subsequent Rh immunization.

The present invention provides a method for determining a breast cancer-associated disease state comprising the steps of: a) providing a sample to be tested; and b) determining a biomarker signature of the test sample by measuring the presence and/or amount in the test sample of one or more biomarker selected from the group defined in Table 1; wherein the presence and/or amount in the test sample of the one or more biomarker selected from the group defined in Table 1 is indicative of the breast cancer-associated disease state. The invention further provides arrays and kits fir use in the same.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods useful for molecular and cellular separation, detection and quantification. The compositions provided herein comprise a nanostructure having magnetic property operably linked to an analyte-binding member.

The invention relates to a method and a sensor device (100) for the detection of clusters (C) of magnetic particles (MP) in a sample volume (111), particularly of clusters (C) consisting of two magnetic particles (MP) with different binding sites that are bound to a target molecule in a sandwich configuration. Output light (L2) originating from an interaction of input light (L1) with clusters (C) of magnetic particles (MP) is detected. Moreover, the magnetic particles (MP, C) are actuated by a magnetic actuation field (B), wherein said actuation is at least once interrupted by a pause. In this way a high output signal can be achieved that properly reflects the amount of specifically bound clusters (C).

A method for detecting cellular or molecular analytes is provided. The method uses two types of engineered phages: a capture phage (bait phage) and a signal phage (reporter phage). Through this method it is possible to selectively bind a target analyte and thus recognize said target analyte.