The invention generally relates to synthetic mimics of cell penetrating peptides. More particularly, the invention relates to certain novel monomers, oligomers and polymers (e.g., co-polymers) that are useful for the preparation of synthetic mimics of cell penetrating peptides, their compositions, preparations and use.

The present invention provides a semiconductor crystal comprising a semiconductor material having a tuned band gap energy, and methods for preparation thereof. More particularly, the invention provides a semiconductor crystal comprising a semiconductor material and amino acid molecules, peptides, or a combination thereof, incorporated within the crystal lattice, wherein the amino acid molecules, peptides, or combination thereof tune the band gap energy of the semiconductor material.

Systems comprising a nanocrystal and a luminescent chromophore are disclosed herein. The luminescent chromophore can emit energy having a first wavelength. The luminescent chromophore is configured to transfer the emitted energy having a first wavelength to the nanocrystal. The luminescent chromophore can be linked to the nanocrystal via a covalent bond. Absorption of the energy having first wavelength by the nanocrystal can activate the nanocrystal and result in an increase in quantum yield. In some embodiments, the nanocrystal can include silicon, germanium, carbon, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the luminescent chromophore can be pyrene. The luminescent chromophore and the silicon containing nanocrystal can be in a ratio of about 1:1 to 100:1 in the nanocrystal system. Methods of making and using the system are also disclosed.

A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.

The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.

A reaction system comprises at least one additive and at least one reaction base-plane for augmenting chemical reaction, photoelectrochemical reaction, photochemical reaction or electrochemical reaction. The reaction system further comprises at least one reaction substrate carried out to the chemical reaction, the photoelectrochemical reaction, the photochemical reaction or the electrochemical reaction with the at least one additive and the at least one reaction base-plane. The at least one additive is a kind of reaction enhancer added in the reaction system to improve, augment or accumulate the effeteness of at least one reaction result.

Apparatus and methods for the detection of proteins in biological fluids such as urine using a label-free assay is described. Specific proteins are detected by their binding to highly specific capture reagents such as SOMAmers that are attached to the surface of a substrate. Changes to these capture reagents and their local environment upon protein binding modify the behavior of color centers (e.g., fluorescence, ionization state, spin state, etc.) embedded in the substrate beneath the bound capture reagents. These changes can be read out, for example, optically or electrically, for an individual color center or as an average response of many color centers.

The present disclosure is directed to compositions comprising templated nanoconjugates and methods of their use.

In this invention, polyimidazole ligands (PILs) incorporating pendant imidazole moieties for nanocrystal binding and either sulfonatebetaine, carboxybetaine, or phosphocholinebetaine moieties for water-solubilization have been developed. Greatly enhanced stability of nanocrystals (both over time and in wide pH range) was achieved by incorporating multi-dentate imidazole moieties which provide strong coordination of the ligand to the nanocrystal surface and prevent aggregation of nanocrystals. Synthesis of betaine PILs was developed by modifying the synthesis of recently developed PEG containing poly imidazole ligands (PEG PILs). These nanocrystals are compact, water soluble, and biocompatible.

Methods and systems for detecting the locations of individual instances of an analyte (e.g., individual cells, individual molecules) in an environment are provided. The environment includes functionalized fluorophores that are configured to selective interact with (e.g., bind with) the analyte and that have a fluorescent property that can be modulated (e.g., a fluorescence intensity that can be affected by the presence of a magnetic field). Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte includes illuminating the environment and detecting signals emitted from the fluorophores in response to the illumination during first and second periods of time. Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte further includes modulating the modulatable fluorescent property of the fluorophores during the second period of time and determining which individual fluorophores in the environment are bound to the analyte based on the signals detected during the first and second periods of time.