The present invention is drawn to the generation of micropatterns of biomolecules and cells on standard laboratory materials through selective ablation of a physisorbed biomolecule with oxygen plasma. In certain embodiments, oxygen plasma is able to ablate selectively physisorbed layers of biomolecules (e.g., type-I collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and Matrigel) along complex non-linear paths which are difficult or impossible to pattern using alternative methods. In addition, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the micropatterning of multiple cell types on curved surfaces, multiwell plates, and flat bottom flasks. The invention also features kits for use with the subject methods.

Certain embodiments are directed to an ultrasensitive poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) ELISA microfluidic microplate, where the protein is covalently bound to a poly-lysine modified or carboxylated PMMA surface.

Methods for in situ detecting proximity of two targets of interest featuring an antibody conjugated with a cleavable bridge component having a detectable moiety and an antibody conjugated with a non-cleavable bridge component. The bridge components each have a chemical ligation group adapted to form a covalent bond under particular conditions and when the targets are in close proximity. Following covalent bond formation, the cleavable bridge component can be cleaved from the antibody, effectively transferring the detectable moiety to the non-cleavable bridge component. Detection of the detectable moiety is indicative of the targets being in close proximity. The methods are compatible with both chromogenic and fluorogenic detection systems. The methods may be used to perform assays wherein one or more than one proximity event is detected on the same slide.

The invention relates to coloured particles with particular mass density, diameters and surface charge comprising pathogen ligands immobilized. The particles are used in methods for detecting and/or characterizing pathogens present in isolated test samples, as well as in methods for detecting and/or characterizing pathogen-binding antibodies present in isolated test samples. A kit comprising the particles is also disclosed.

The invention relates to methods for conducting solid-phase binding assays. One example is an assay method having improved analyte specificity where specificity is limited by the presence of non-specific binding interactions.

An example compound according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other possible things, a nanotube carrier, a moiety, a linker having first and second functional groups, wherein the first functional group is covalently linked to the nanotube carrier, and the second functional group is covalently linked to the moiety. An example method of making a nanotube compound according to the present disclosure is also disclosed.

Processes for quantifying an amount of functional groups immobilized on a solid support are described herein. The processes allow for determining whether sufficient functional groups are provided on a solid support for the attachment of a first binding pair member for the detection of a target analyte.

The present invention relates to a bacteriophage-based gold nanohalo structure and a fabrication method therefor, and more particularly to a SERS-active gold nanohalo structure in which gold nanoparticles are regularly arranged on bacteriophage MS2, and a fabrication method therefor. The gold nanohalo structure according to the present invention may generate a consistent SERS signal due to regular arrangement of hot spots between the gold nanoparticles, and may be effectively used in the development of a SERS-based detection system.

The present document describes nucleic acid structures comprising a plurality of annealed motifs that are made from complementary oligonucleotides having domains with sequences complementary to other nucleotides of the motif. The annealed motifs may be anchored to surfaces, and functional elements may be attached to the annealed motifs. The nucleic acid structures may used to make sensors therefrom. The present document also describes methods to generate said nucleic acid structures.

The invention encompasses novel methods of operating electrochemical sensors such as aptamer-based sensors to analyze complex samples, such as flowing whole blood both in vitro or in vivo. In such environments, electrochemical sensors are often subject to drift, which complicates the interpretation of sensor output in terms of target concentration. The method of the invention utilizes a dual-reporter recognition element that generates a first, sensing current that is responsive to target binding and to environmental factors and a second, reference current that is only affected by environmental factors. The reference current provides information about environmentally-induced drift, which allows the drift effect to be subtracted out. By removing drift artifacts, electrochemical sensors may be deployed to analyze complex samples, such as whole blood, in vivo.