Provided are gold molecular clusters functionalized with phosphorylcholine (PC) ligands. Also provided are compositions comprising the gold molecular clusters and methods of in vivo imaging of a tissue in a subject, the methods comprising administering a composition of the present disclosure to the subject, and performing NIR-I or NIR-II in vivo fluorescence imaging of the tissue. Also provided are kits comprising the gold molecular clusters and compositions of the present disclosure, as well as methods of synthesizing gold molecular clusters functionalized with PC ligands.

Described herein are compositions useful for the detection of analytes. In certain embodiments, the invention relates among other things to DNA-encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with an antibody or other analyte-binding species, for detection and/or imaging of an analyte in a biological sample or subject. Other embodiments described herein include systems, methods, and devices utilizing such compositions for ex vivo biomarker quantification, tissue optical probes, and in vivo analyte detection and quantification. In one aspect the invention relates to a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) sensor, comprising a SWCNT; a polymer associated with the SWCNT; and an analyte-binding species. Detection of one or more analytes is achieved by measuring changes in fluorescence intensity, shifts in fluorescence wavelength, and/or other characteristics in the spectral characteristics of the described compositions.

The development of a new, targeted drug delivery paradigm coupled to improved PI3K inhibitors (e.g., PI3Kα inhibitors) represents a significant advance in cancer therapy. Provided herein are compounds, such as compounds of Formula (I) and (II), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, and prodrugs thereof. The compounds provided herein are PI3K (e.g., PI3Kα) inhibitors and are therefore useful for the treatment and/or prevention of various diseases (e.g., proliferative diseases such as cancer). Also provided herein are nanoparticles and nanogels (e.g., P-selectin targeting nanoparticles) comprising PI3K inhibitors, such a compound described herein. In certain embodiments, a nanoparticle or nanogel described herein encapsulates a compound described herein for targeting delivery to cancer cells or tumors.

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A phosphor excitable by X-ray and blue-light emits light in the near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nanometers) forms nanoparticles less than 200 nanometers diameter. The nanoparticles are tagged by coating with silica, then conjugating with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and tissue-selective compounds such as antibodies, nucleic acid chains, and other ligands. In embodiments, we administer the tagged nanoparticles to a subject, then localize the nanoparticles, and thus antigen-bearing tissues, by irradiating the subject with X-ray or other radiation beams while imaging near infrared light emitted from the subject. The nanoparticles are made by mixing 1-50 micron calcium oxide and germanium oxide powders with dilute nitric acid, adding chromium (III) nitrate at a ratio to germanium between 0.001 and 0.1, adding tartaric acid solution with molar ratio to metal ions between 1-10, and adjusting pH to 0.1-4 with nitric acid, then later heating to form a sol, oven drying, and calcinating the sol.

The invention provides novel biocompatible upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) that comprises a core of cubic nanocrystals (e.g., comprising α-Na Ln.sub.a, Ln.sub.b Ln.sub.c F.sub.4) and an epitaxial shell (e.g., formed from CaF.sub.2; wherein Ln.sub.b is Yb), and related methods of preparation and uses thereof.

Described herein are flash nanoprecipitation methods capable of encapsulating hydrophobic molecules, hydrophilic molecules, bioactive protein therapeutics, or other target molecules in amphiphilic copolymer nanocarriers.

This disclosure relates to targeted protease compositions and uses related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nanoparticles wherein a targeting molecule is linked to the nanoparticle and wherein a catalytic domain of a protease is linked to the nanoparticle. In certain embodiments, the targeting molecule and the catalytic domain are within a single polypeptide sequence. In certain embodiments, the targeting molecule binds a molecule more highly expressed on cancer cells then non-cancerous cells, and the nanoparticles disclosed herein are used for the treatment of cancer by further attaching an anti-cancer agent to the nanoparticle or incorporating an anticancer agent within the nanoparticle.

The present invention provides, among other things, compositions and methods relating to detection and/or treatment cancer (e.g., one or more tumors) that expresses Neuropilin 1 (NRP1). The present invention provides methods of treating cancer that include administering a chlorotoxin agent to a subject (e.g., to a subject suffering from or susceptible to the cancer which may, in some embodiments, be a cancer that expresses NRP1). In some embodiments, a chlorotoxin agent for use in accordance with the present invention can be or comprise a chlorotoxin polypeptide and a payload moiety (e.g., as a covalent conjugate).

There is described herein a nanoparticle comprising an outer shell comprising a porphyrin salt, an expanded porphyrin salt or an analog of porphyrin salt, around an inner oil core.

A plasmonics-active gold nanostar results from the following process: adding citrate stabilized gold seeds to a solution of tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl.sub.4) under acidic conditions; and mixing a silver salt compound and a weak reducing agent simultaneously into the solution of HAuCl.sub.4 under conditions such that the plasmonics-active gold nanostar is produced. The plasmonics-active gold nanostar has a size of at least about 30 nm and up to about 80 nm, comprises a plasmon peak in the near-infrared region, comprises an optical label and a bioreceptor, and is a nucleic acid.