Some embodiments described herein relate to a substrate comprising a silane functionalized surface for reversibly immobilizing a biological molecule of interest, such as oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, or protein. Methods for immobilizing the biological molecule and the use in DNA sequencing and other diagnostic applications are also disclosed.

A method for the detection of binding affinities comprises providing a device having a planar waveguide (2) arranged on a substrate (3) and an optical coupler (4). Coherent light (1) of a predetermined wavelength is coupled into the planar waveguide (2) such that the coherent light propagates along the planar waveguide (2), with an evanescent field (6) of the coherent light propagating along an outer surface (5) of the planar waveguide (2). Target samples (8) attached to binding sites (7) are arranged along a plurality of predetermined lines (9) on the outer surface (5) of the planar waveguide (2). At a predetermined detection location, light of the evanescent field which is scattered by target samples (8) bound to binding sites (7) arranged along the predetermined lines (9) is detected. The light scattered by the target samples (8) bound to the binding sites (7) has, at the predetermined detection location, a difference in optical path length which is an integer multiple of the predetermined wavelength of the light.

A system and method for the detection and quantification of biomolecules by measuring a piezoelectric signal is described. The system comprises a plurality of elongate zinc oxide nanowires mounted generally parallel to each another on a semi conductive silicon substrate. The free ends of the nanowires are provided with biomolecules that are capable of associating with complementary biomolecules within a biological or water sample. Following incubation of the system in a sample, the association of molecules of interest with the immobilised biomolecules on the system results in the displacement of the zinc oxide nanowires. The displacement of the nanowires produces a piezoelectric voltage signal that is useful in diagnosing a pathogenic infection or the contamination of a sample.

A system and method for the detection and quantification of biomolecules by measuring a piezoelectric signal is described. The system comprises a plurality of elongate zinc oxide nanowires mounted generally parallel to each another on a semi conductive silicon substrate. The free ends of the nanowires are provided with biomolecules that are capable of associating with complementary biomolecules within a biological or water sample. Following incubation of the system in a sample, the association of molecules of interest with the immobilised biomolecules on the system results in the displacement of the zinc oxide nanowires. The displacement of the nanowires produces a piezoelectric voltage signal that is useful in diagnosing a pathogenic infection or the contamination of a sample.

One or more aqueous, near infrared emitting, high yield, highly photoluminescent, stable quantum dots conjugated to one or more biomarkers specific moieties. The conjugated quantum dots have an enhanced detection sensitivity and selectivity and may be formed using a novel and efficient method for conjugating one or more biomarker specific moieties to the quantum dots. The invention is further directed to a method for using the conjugated quantum dots for cancer detection in the margin of excised tissue.

One or more aqueous, near infrared emitting, high yield, highly photoluminescent, stable quantum dots conjugated to one or more biomarkers specific moieties. The conjugated quantum dots have an enhanced detection sensitivity and selectivity and may be formed using a novel and efficient method for conjugating one or more biomarker specific moieties to the quantum dots. The invention is further directed to a method for using the conjugated quantum dots for cancer detection in the margin of excised tissue.

A label-free method for the spatio-temporal mapping of protein secretions from individual cells in real time by using a chip for localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) imaging. The chip is a glass coverslip compatible for use in a standard microscope having at least one array of functionalized plasmonic nanostructures patterned onto it. After placing a cell on the chip, the secretions from the cell are spatially and temporally mapped using LSPR imaging. Transmitted light imaging and/or fluorescence imaging may be done simultaneously with the LSPR imaging.

A label-free method for the spatio-temporal mapping of protein secretions from individual cells in real time by using a chip for localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) imaging. The chip is a glass coverslip compatible for use in a standard microscope having at least one array of functionalized plasmonic nanostructures patterned onto it. After placing a cell on the chip, the secretions from the cell are spatially and temporally mapped using LSPR imaging. Transmitted light imaging and/or fluorescence imaging may be done simultaneously with the LSPR imaging.

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a highly sensitive and less expensive lectin-immobilized base material (for example, a lectin plate), said lectin-immobilized base material having stable qualities and being able to be sufficiently washed after a target sugar chain-containing antigen binds thereto. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for immobilizing lectin to a base material therefor. Provided are: a method whereby a lectin-peptide fusion, in which a peptide capable of adsorbing to a base material surface such as a PS tag is fused with the N-terminal side or C-terminal side of lectin capable of recognizing a target sugar chain, is immobilized on the peptide side to a base material; and a lectin-immobilized base material produced by this method. By using the lectin-immobilized base material, a target sugar chain-containing antigen can be highly sensitively and evenly measured and, moreover, target sugar chain-containing cells, etc. can be separated (concentrated and harvested).

Imaging systems and methods using fluorescent nanodiamonds are disclosed. The imaging systems and methods including applying a time-varying magnetic field to a specimen containing fluorescent nanodiamonds and comparing the fluorescence obtained with different magnetic fields to provide an image of the specimen.