This disclosure describes assay methods and kits for detecting a target. The methods and kits can be used to detect a target that is present in a sample at low concentration because the methods and kits amplify the signal indicating the presence of target in the sample. Generally, the methods and kits involve nanoparticle aggregation as a detectable signal that is enhanced by a trigger released from a vesicular compartment when the target is bound to a capture agent.

An analysis device for an objective biological substance includes a generator, a divider, an analyzer, and a calculator. The generator generates a microscopic image of a tissue sample after staining. The divider divides the microscopic image into at least one section having a prescribed size. The analyzer analyzes a staining condition of the microscopic image for each section. The calculator calculates a prescribed statistic based on an analysis result by the analyzer.

The present disclosure relates to urinary polyamines useful as prostate cancer biomarkers. In particular, the present disclosure provides a novel, highly-sensitive and specific, method for detecting and quantifying urinary polyamines using lanthanide complexes or citrate capped gold nanoparticles.

The present disclosure provides sensor arrays for detecting biomolecules and methods of use. In some embodiments, the sensor arrays are capable of determining a disease state in a subject.

The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer. The nanoparticle has a range of diameters including between about 0.1 nm and about 100 nm, between about 0.5 nm and about 50 nm, between about 1 nm and about 25 nm, between about 1 nm and about 15 nm, or between about 1 nm and about 8 nm. The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound. The nanoparticle also exhibits high biostability and biocompatibility. To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo. In order to target a specific cell type, the nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand, which is capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker. In one embodiment, a therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle. To permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by not only optical fluorescence imaging, but also other imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computerized tomography (CT), bioluminescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle.

The present application provides certain advantageous ways of conducting multiplexed imaging.

The present disclosure relates to a complex for detecting a target material comprising upconverting nanoparticles; and at least one target material specific aptamer-quencher, connected through a linker with the upconverting nanoparticles, a method of preparing the same, a kit for detecting a target material comprising the same, and a method of detecting a target material using the same. According to the present disclosure, different target materials in samples can be quantified or detected accurately based on luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) of the upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) excited by a near infrared (NIR) light source.

A signal of fluorescence emitted from a fluorescent particle of a pathological specimen can be increased in sensitivity and be stabilized, thereby resulting in an enhancement in retrieval accuracy of information from a fluorescence image. A pathological specimen including a tissue section subjected to a treatment (immunostaining/FISH staining treatment) for fluorescence-labeling of an objective biomaterial with a fluorescent particle observable in a dark field, based on an immunostaining or FISH method; a packed layer with which the tissue section is covered; and a protection layer with which the packed layer is covered; wherein the refractive indexes of the fluorescent particle, the packed layer and the protection layer (measurement wavelength: 589 nm; measurement temperature: 20 C.; in all) satisfy the conditions of Expressions (1) and (2):

|n1n2|0.20Expression (1)

|n2n3|0.15Expression (2) n1: refractive index (fluorescent particle) n2: refractive index (packed layer) n3: refractive index (protection layer).

The present invention provides methods, devices, compositions (e.g., capture complexes), and kits useful for enhancing the detection of antibodies in a test sample. The methods, devices, and compositions utilize detectable Fc-binding molecules such as Protein A, Protein G, and/or an Fc-specific antibody to amplify the signal of a detected antibody in immunoassays, such as lateral flow assays.

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.