The disclosure relates to antigen detection reagents and related methods, systems, and kits. The reagents comprise an antigen-binding molecule conjugated to an inorganic component. In some embodiments, the inorganic component possesses catalytic functionality to provide a detectable signal. In some embodiments, the catalytic inorganic component is or comprises a bimetallic nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the inorganic component is a nanoflowers that provides a physical scaffold onto which the antigen-binding component and a reporter component can be loaded, resulting in augmented antigen-binding and reporting capabilities.

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 method for analyzing biomolecules, includes the steps of: immobilizing biomolecules to be analyzed on surfaces of magnetic microparticles; reacting labeled probe molecules with the biomolecules to be analyzed; collecting and immobilizing the microparticles on a support substrate; and measuring a label on the support substrate. Since single-molecule immobilized magnetic microparticles are used in the present invention, the number of biomolecules can be counted, and since hybridization and an antigen-antibody reaction are performed with the microparticles having biomolecules immobilized thereon dispersed, the reaction can be rapidly performed. Further, the type and the abundance of biomolecules of interest can be determined at a single molecular level, so as to evaluate, in particular, the absolute concentration of biomolecules.

A method for detecting a disease marker using self-amplification of a detection signal is disclosed. The method can include (a) a step of simultaneously inducing an antigen-antibody immune response and an Au particle formation reaction by reduction of Au ions in an assay solution prepared by, to a pre-assay solution in which all of an antibody or antigen for detection of a disease-specific marker, free Au ions, and adsorbed Au ions are present, adding a sample, which contains a disease-specific antigen or antibody binding specifically to the antibody or the antigen, and a reducing agent; and (b) a step of confirming the presence or absence of a disease-specific marker by a chromogenic reaction through the Au particle formation.

The present disclosure provides chalcogenopyrylium compounds, composite nanostructures comprising the chalcogenopyrylium compounds, and methods of using the compounds and/or composite nanostructures. For example, composite nanostructures comprising the chalcogenopyrylium compounds are used in imaging applications. The present disclosure provides chalcogenopyrylium compounds having the following structure where each E is, at each occurrence in the compound, independently charged or neutral and is independently selected from S, Se, 0, or Te, wherein at least one E is S or Se; each R1 is, at each occurrence in the compound, independently selected from the group consisting of —H, Ci-s alkyl group, halo group, —CN, aryl group, and heteroaryl group and adjacent R1 groups can combine to form C5ss aryl groups, each R2 is, at each occurrence in the compound.

A bacteria-responsive color-changing, core-shell nanofiber, comprising polyurethane (PU), a hemicyanine-based chromogenic probe localized in the core-shell nanofiber near the surface of the shell, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) dopant in the shell, the hemicyanine-based chromogenic probe further comprising a labile ester linkage that is enzymatically cleavable by bacterial lipase released from clinically relevant strains of bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

A system and method for isolating target substrates includes a microfluidic chip, comprising a plurality of processing units, each processing unit comprising: an inlet port, a plurality of first chambers connected to the inlet port by a fluid channel, the fluid channel comprising a plurality of valves, a plurality of second chambers, each of the second chambers connected to a respective first chamber by a fluid channel, each fluid channel including a controllable blocking valve, and a plurality of respective outlet ports, each outlet port in fluid communication with a respective one of said second chambers and each outlet port including a blocking valve. A magnet is adjacent the microfluidic chip and is movable relative to the microfluidic chip. A valve control is capable of actuating certain ones of the controllable blocking valves in response to a control signal.

Methods for producing high concentration protein formulations having high stability are provided. Assays for selecting proteins and formulation conditions that have high self-repulsive attributes are used as an early step in the manufacturing process. Specifically, a protein concentration-dependent self-interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy method is employed as a protein colloidal interaction assay.

The present disclosure relates to methods and products associated with in vitro and in vivo protease activity measurements and enzyme profiling. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to measuring remotely triggered protease activity. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods of in vivo processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence or absence of active enzymes associated with disease or conditions. The disclosure also relates to products, kits, and databases for use in the methods of the disclosure.

The present invention provides a fluorescent polymer comprising a fluorophore perylene bisimide (PBI) and oligo (p-phenylene vinylene) (OPV) functionalized with carboxy and amine functionality groups and a polystyrene (PS) backbone for the detection of volatile organic compound, a process for the detection and a kit thereof.