Disclosed herein are diagnostic assays using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active particles, including liquid-based assays; magnetic capture assays; microparticle-nanoparticle satellite structures for signal amplification in an assay; composite SERS-active particles useful for enhanced detection of targets; and sample tubes and processes for using the same.

The present invention provides an analyte detection system for detecting target analytes in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a detection system in a rotor or disc format that utilizes a centrifugal force to move the sample through the detection system. Methods of using the rotor detection system to detect analytes in samples, particularly biological samples, and kits comprising the rotor detection system are also disclosed.

Nanodiamond particles and related devices and methods, such as nanodiamond particles for the detection and/or quantification of analytes, are generally described. In some embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of nanodiamond particles and a species bound to the nanodiamond particles. In certain embodiments, the plurality of nanodiamond particles may be exposed to a sample suspected of containing an analyte. In some cases, the analyte may bind to the species such that the presence of the analyte in the sample may be detected. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods described herein are useful for the detection of an analyte in a sample obtained from a subject for, for example, diagnostic purposes. In some cases, the systems, devices, and methods described herein may be useful for diagnosing, prevent, treating, and/or managing a disease or bodily condition. In an exemplary embodiment, such systems, devices, and methods described herein may be useful for detecting and/or quantifying the presence of a virus (e.g., ebola) in a subject and/or a sample obtained from the subject.

Provided are: a coloring cellulose microparticle enabling false positive to be significantly reduced while maintaining a high detection sensitivity; and an immunochromatographic diagnostic kit using the same. The present invention provides: a coloring cellulose microparticle characterized in that an average particle diameter is 60-900 nm, a coloring intensity is 1.0-10.0, and a hydrophilic layer is provided on the surface of microparticle, and a carboxyl group is introduced onto the surface of the microparticle with a spacer therebetween; a structure in which a ligand is covalently bonded to the carboxyl group of said coloring cellulose microparticle; and an immunochromatographic diagnostic kit including said structure.

Described herein are fluid-manipulation-based devices and methods of use. Fluid manipulations according to devices and methods as described herein can be configured to perform assays on biological samples. Devices and methods as described herein can manipulate and analyze nanoliter volumes of fluid, microliter volumes of fluid, milliliter volumes of fluid, or greater. Embodiments of the present disclosure can enable random biological assays and rapid, simultaneous analysis of multiple biological samples.

The present invention relates to a membrane based assay method, device and kit for rapid detection and/or quantification of endotoxins in aqueous solutions and test samples. The kit as per the present invention comprises lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affinity ligand conjugated with gold nanoparticles (GNPs); a membrane device comprising an endotoxin affinity membrane positioned parallelly to one or more layer(s) of a hydrophilic material, which are optionally secured in an enclosure; and optionally comprising an indicator chart for quantification of endotoxins in the sample. The method comprises placing the sample suspected of endotoxin contamination on a surface of a membrane comprised in a membrane device; placing once or more a suspension of LPS-affinity ligand conjugated with GNPs over the same area as the sample placed and detecting the presence of endotoxin if the colour signal appears and based on its intensity quantifying the endotoxin levels.

The present invention relates to a reusable optical fiber aptasensor using a photo-thermal effect, and more particularly, to a reusable optical fiber aptasensor using white light and a laser. The aptasensor includes a light emitting unit for selectively emitting one of white light and a laser, a sensor unit including a plurality of aptamers, a plurality of gold nanorods, and a silver mirror, a detector for analyzing a wavelength of inputted light, and an optical fiber for connecting the light emitting unit with the sensor unit, and connecting the detector with the sensor unit, wherein the light emitted from the light emitting unit is totally reflected in the optical fiber and irradiated to the sensor unit, and light reflected from the silver mirror of the sensor unit is irradiated to the detector. Accordingly, the aptasensor easily measures concentration of a target material in a sample using the optical fiber.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of composites and compositions that can be used for therapeutic applications in vivo and/or in vitro. The disclosed composites can comprise cores having magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots, or combinations thereof and zwitterionic polymeric coatings that facilitate solubility and bioconjugation. The compositions disclosed herein can comprise the composites and one or more biomolecules, drugs, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composites, composite components, and methods of making quantum dots for use in the composites.

A double fluorescent particle comprises: a core with a first fluorescence; and a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shell with a second fluorescence; wherein the MIP is an organic polymer comprising elements selected from the group consisting of: C, H, O, N, P, and S; wherein the MIP is adapted to selectively bind to a cell surface structure; wherein the first fluorescence is generated by an entity selected from the group consisting of: a carbon nanodot, an alkaline earth metal fluoride, a dye-doped polymer, a dye-doped stabilized micelle, a P-dot—i.e. a π-conjugated polymer, a quantum dot doped polymer, a rare earth metal ion doped polymer, a dye-doped silica, a rare-earth ion doped silica, and a rare earth ion doped alkaline earth metal fluoride nanoparticle; wherein the second fluorescence is generated by an entity selected from the group consisting of: a dye, a molecular probe, an indicator, a probe monomer, an indicator monomer, and a cross-linker, and wherein the first and second fluorescence differ at least by an emission wavelength and/or by an excitation wavelength.

Surface-functionalized nano structures, arrays of the nanostructures, and method for using the arrays in surfaced-enhanced spectroscopy and dielectric sensing applications, such as surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, are provided. The nanostructures are functionalized with specific binding moieties that are bound to the nanostructures via phosphonic acid linkers.