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.

The present invention relates to a photosensitizer-containing nanoparticle, comprising a photosensitizer covalently bonded throughout at least a part of said nanoparticle to the nanoparticle matrix material and incorporated therein in a quasi-aggregated state. The present invention further relates to methods for producing the invention nanoparticles, and to methods of killing cancer cells by PDT treatment using the said nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to a nanocarrier for targeted therapy and/or diagnosis of a prostate cancer cell, the nanocarrier including a micelle including a phosphate surfactant represented by a specific Chemical Formula. The micelle including the phosphate surfactant constituting the nanocarrier for targeted therapy and/or diagnosis of the prostate cancer cell according to the present invention is cleaved by the overexpressed enzyme in the vicinity of the prostate cancer cell, so that therapeutic agent or diagnostic agent particles loaded on the micelle are capable of being selectively released to the prostate cancer cell. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the therapeutic and/or diagnostic effects while remarkably reducing the side effects of the drug in the living body compared to a conventional technology.

InAs based core-shell particles which leads to tunable, narrow emitting semiconductor nanocrystals with a very high quantum yield which can be preserved in physiological buffers with long stability can used for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging. Increased resolution with reduced read time and increased imaging frequency can provide advantages in in vivo applications.

Disclosed are cell membrane-derived nanovesicles, a method of preparing the nanovesicles, and a pharmaceutical composition and a diagnostic kit using the nanovesicles. The cell membrane-derived nanovesicles may prevent potential adverse effects because intracellular materials (e.g., genetic materials and cytosolic proteins) unnecessary for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic substances are removed from the nanovesicles. In addition, as the nanovesicles may be targeted to specific cells or tissues, therapeutic or diagnostic substances may be predominantly delivered to the targeted cells or tissues, while delivery of the substances may be inhibited. Therefore, the nanovesicles may alleviate suffering and inconvenience of patients by reducing adverse effects of therapeutic substances and by improving efficacy of the substances. In addition, the cell membrane-derived nanovesicles loaded with therapeutic or diagnostic substances and a method of preparing the nanovesicles may be used in vitro or in vivo for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, or for experimental use.

Compositions of matter according to the disclosure include a nanoparticle-dye conjugate having a photoluminescent or fluorescent nanoparticle associated with a fluorescent dye. Methods of imaging a biological sample according to the disclosure include treating a biological sample with a composition of matter a nanoparticle-dye conjugate, associating the nanoparticle-dye conjugate with the biological sample, and imaging the nanoparticle-dye conjugate associated biological sample.

Disclosed are cell membrane-derived nanovesicles, a method of preparing the nanovesicles, and a pharmaceutical composition and a diagnostic kit using the nanovesicles. The cell membrane-derived nanovesicles may prevent potential adverse effects because intracellular materials (e.g., genetic materials and cytosolic proteins) unnecessary for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic substances are removed from the nanovesicles. In addition, as the nanovesicles may be targeted to specific cells or tissues, therapeutic or diagnostic substances may be predominantly delivered to the targeted cells or tissues, while delivery of the substances may be inhibited. Therefore, the nanovesicles may alleviate suffering and inconvenience of patients by reducing adverse effects of therapeutic substances and by improving efficacy of the substances. In addition, the cell membrane-derived nanovesicles loaded with therapeutic or diagnostic substances and a method of preparing the nanovesicles may be used in vitro or in vivo for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, or for experimental use.

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.

Quantum converting nanoparticles for electric field sensing are provided. In one example, by combining upconverting lanthanide ions with voltage responsive dyes, we generate an optical platform that displays intensity and spectrum changes in the presence of electric fields. Our particles enable local (down to 10 nm spatial resolution) mapping of electric fields with exceptional photostability. We can image and quantify in vivo and in situ electric fields in biological and material systems up to fields of ˜100 kV/cm.

Disclosed herein include methods, compositions, and kits suitable for use in the spatial and temporal delivery of payload molecules to a target site of a subject. Disclosed herein include hydrogel compositions (e.g., particles) comprising a polymer scaffold, a plurality of payload molecules, and a plurality of gas vesicles. The method can comprise administering said hydrogel compositions to a subject and applying one or more ultrasonic (US) pulses to a target site of the subject to induce the release of payload molecules from the hydrogel composition, thereby delivering payload molecules to the target site. The method can comprise detecting the presence of the hydrogel composition at the target site prior to inducing release of payload molecules from the hydrogel composition.