In the present invention, a method and assay for the detection of proteases and protease inhibitors using colloidal gold nanoparticles and peptide substrates, which are selectively recognized and cleaved by proteases being assayed, is disclosed. In this assay, the mechanism of signal generation relies on peptide sequence induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles, which are used as signal reporters. The peptide sequences that induce aggregation are either the intact peptide substrates or proteolytic fragments of the intact peptide substrate wherein the proteolytic fragments are produced by the protease being assayed. The present invention provides a novel, simple, sensitive, and inexpensive colloidal gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric assay that allows both visual and quantitative detection of proteases and protease inhibitors.

Embodiments of the present invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for their preparation or synthesis that provide polymer-based cationic particles, such as, e.g., polymer-nucleic acid complexes, for delivering molecules including biomolecules, which is particularly desirable in gene therapy. Inventive materials include positively-charged linear homopolymers and block copolymers by living free radical polymerization, and polymer-based particles by emulsion polymerization. These polymers and particles may be conjugated with a wide range of biomolecules, and may deliver molecules, including, drug molecules, contrast agents, dyes, and the like, by loading them into the interior of the particles prior to polymerization. These conjugated and/or labeled polymers and particles may be delivered to cells to administer their cargo and achieve a therapeutic response. Additional embodiments may be directed to the methods of synthesizing and using the compounds and compositions, as well as kits comprising the compounds, compositions, and formulations, and desired molecules for delivery.

Provided herein are metal nanoclusters, having a high absorption to volume ratio, and uses of the same, such as in generating singlet oxygen, or in protecting surfaces from high intensity light.

Provided is a semiconductor-based ion-responsive urine sensor (IRUS) capable of detecting an analyte in urine by a non-invasive method. When a urine sensor according to an aspect is used, it is possible to diagnose a patient accurately in a comfortable condition and to use the urine sensor for point-of-care (POC) diagnosis.

Disclosed herein is an aptamer sensor including a substrate having metal nanoparticles formed thereon, an aptamer attached to surfaces of the metal nanoparticles to form a structure by selectively reacting with a target material to be detected, and an intercalating agent inserted between the aptamer and the target material in reaction of the aptamer with the target material to increase shift of an absorption spectrum due to local surface plasmon resonance sensor through aggregation toward the metal nanoparticles

The present invention relates to a method for detecting food poisoning bacteria, and more particularly, to a method for rapidly and quantitatively isolating food poisoning bacteria contents which contaminate food and the like. The method according to the present invention is characterized by including the steps of: introducing magnetic nanoparticles which can bind to bacteria into a sample for measuring the bacteria so as to bind the magnetic nanoparticles to the bacteria; isolating the magnetic nanoparticles; passing the nanoparticles which are isolated by using magnetism through a solution having high viscosity so as to separate the magnetic nanoparticles to which bacteria are bound from magnetic nanoparticles to which no bacteria are bound; and quantifying the magnetic nanoparticles to which bacteria are bound.

The present invention provides, among other aspects, functionalized chromophoric polymer dots comprising a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic cap, and bioconjugates thereof. Also provided are improved methods for preparing functionalized chromophoric polymer dots. Methods for in vivo imaging and molecular labeling are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for detecting various analytes, characterized by the following steps: a) providing separation particles containing, on their surface, firstly means of binding the analyte to be identified and secondly means of separating the analyte bound to the particles; b) providing identification particles firstly having, on their surface, means for binding the analyte to be identified and secondly containing on their surface or enclosed therein, means which are capable, after they have been detached or released from the particles, by virtue of their labeling, of generating a signal which serves for identification of the analyte; c) combining analyte, separation particles and identification particles; d) removing and washing the identification particles bound via the analyte by means of the separation particles; e) releasing the means which serve to identify the analyte, characterized in that the means which serve to identify the analyte are coupled reversibly to the identification particles and in that the identification molecules serve simultaneously for identification of the analyte and for detection.

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.

Identification, quantification and characterization of biological micro- and nano-systems is enabled by magnetically spinning these natural, non-magnetic systems with the aid of induced magnetization. Biofriendly magnetic micro- and nano-labels enable magnetorotation in extremely weak electromagnetic fields. The spinning of these micromotors can be observed by a simple, CD-like, optical tracking system. The spinning frequency response enables real-time monitoring of single (cancer) cell morphology, with sub-microscopic resolution, yielding previously undeterminable information. Likewise, it enables super-low detection limits for any (cancer) biomarker.