An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.

Bistable devices are constructed using a polynucleotide platform for sensing molecular events such as binding or conformational changes of target molecules. Uses include measurement of target concentration, measuring the effect of environmental condition (such as heat, light, or pH) on the target, or screening a library for molecules that bind the target or modulate its biological function. Devices comprise three regions: a top lid, bottom lid, and flexible linker or hinge between them. A device has an open configuration in which the top and bottom lid are separated, and a closed configuration they are bound close together. Binding domains or variations of the target molecule are fixed to a device so that when the molecular event occurs, the device switches from open to closed, or vice versa, which generates a signal. Optimal device design is determined by the signal modality (optical or electronic) used to measure closure of surface-immobilized devices.

Bistable devices are constructed using a polynucleotide platform for sensing molecular events such as binding or conformational changes of target molecules. Uses include measurement of target concentration, measuring the effect of environmental condition (such as heat, light, or pH) on the target, or screening a library for molecules that bind the target or modulate its biological function. Devices comprise three regions: a top lid, bottom lid, and flexible linker or hinge between them. A device has an open configuration in which the top and bottom lid are separated, and a closed configuration they are bound close together. Binding domains or variations of the target molecule are fixed to a device so that when the molecular event occurs, the device switches from open to closed, or vice versa, which generates a signal. Optimal device design is determined by the signal modality (optical or electronic) used to measure closure of surface-immobilized devices.

A method for activating and expanding isolated T cells, the method including adding to isolated T cells ligands presenting microbubbles having a flexible lipid shell with an inner bubble wall enclosing a gas and an outer bubble wall conjugated to ligands capable of achieving cell contact dependent juxtacrine signaling on the isolated T cells; and adding to isolated T cells ligands presenting microbubbles having a flexible lipid shell with an inner bubble wall enclosing a gas and an outer bubble wall conjugated to an antigen capable of forming an immunological synapse (IS) with the T cells.

A method for activating and expanding isolated T cells, the method including adding to isolated T cells ligands presenting microbubbles having a flexible lipid shell with an inner bubble wall enclosing a gas and an outer bubble wall conjugated to ligands capable of achieving cell contact dependent juxtacrine signaling on the isolated T cells; and adding to isolated T cells ligands presenting microbubbles having a flexible lipid shell with an inner bubble wall enclosing a gas and an outer bubble wall conjugated to an antigen capable of forming an immunological synapse (IS) with the T cells.

The present disclosure relates to a sensor for the detection of analytes, in particular for the detection of biomolecules. The sensor includes a (bio)compatible sensing layer including a polymer matrix or gel matrix, particularly a polymer gel matrix, organic nanoparticles and, optionally, one or several cell adhesion layer(s). The cell adhesion layer(s) can be varied depending on the type of cells. In the presence of the analytes, the organic nanoparticles are capable of photon up-conversion emission. The sensor further optionally includes plasmonic metal nanoparticles. The present disclosure further relates to methods of producing such a sensor and to uses of such a sensor.

The present disclosure relates to a sensor for the detection of analytes, in particular for the detection of biomolecules. The sensor includes a (bio)compatible sensing layer including a polymer matrix or gel matrix, particularly a polymer gel matrix, organic nanoparticles and, optionally, one or several cell adhesion layer(s). The cell adhesion layer(s) can be varied depending on the type of cells. In the presence of the analytes, the organic nanoparticles are capable of photon up-conversion emission. The sensor further optionally includes plasmonic metal nanoparticles. The present disclosure further relates to methods of producing such a sensor and to uses of such a sensor.

According to one embodiment, a method of detecting or quantifying a detection target in a specimen includes: irradiating a reaction mixture containing composite particles and the specimen with light to promote binding between the composite particles and the detection target; and performing measurement on the reaction mixture irradiated with the light to detect or quantify the detection target. The composite particles each include a carrier particle including two or more regions having different physical properties on a surface, and an affinity substance carried on the carrier particle and having affinity to the detection target. The light can be absorbed by at least one of the two or more regions.

A buoyancy enabled separation method for isolation from a sample including a variety of different cells a sparse subset of cells that is differentiated by a plurality of different cell surface markers. Microbubbles conjugated to antibodies are applied sequentially in a container with the previously used microbubbles disrupted prior to applying the next microbubbles conjugated to a different antibody. A system that includes a syringe-like container with a plunger and closeable opening. Further, a method for activating and expanding isolated T cells by applying antigen presenting microbubbbles having a flexible lipid shell mimicking an antigen presenting cell for generating immunological synapses.

A buoyancy enabled separation method for isolation from a sample including a variety of different cells a sparse subset of cells that is differentiated by a plurality of different cell surface markers. Microbubbles conjugated to antibodies are applied sequentially in a container with the previously used microbubbles disrupted prior to applying the next microbubbles conjugated to a different antibody. A system that includes a syringe-like container with a plunger and closeable opening. Further, a method for activating and expanding isolated T cells by applying antigen presenting microbubbbles having a flexible lipid shell mimicking an antigen presenting cell for generating immunological synapses.