Some embodiments disclosed herein pertain to indicator compounds used to detect the presence of and/or an amount of an analyte. In some embodiments, the indicator compounds are fusion proteins. In some embodiments, when the analyte binds to the indicator compound, the indicator compound undergoes a conformational change. In some embodiments, the conformational change results in a luminescent signal that allows quantification of the amount of analyte present.

Compositions of luminescence labeled activated natural killer (aNK) cells are utilized in methods of in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) for assaying and identifying genetically modified NK cells capable of targeting selected anatomical locations (e.g., bone and/or brain) or targeting selected diseased cells at selected sites.

Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, such as non-protein non-nucleotide therapeutics and protein-based therapeutics excluding insulin, botulinum toxins, antibody fragments, and VEGF. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for topical delivery of antifungal agents and antigenic agents suitable for immunization. Alternatively, the composition can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

The present disclosure relates to a peptoid compound, and a derivative, a salt, a preparation method and use thereof. The peptoid compound includes the following subunits: 4-phenylphenethylamine, monoprotected ethylenediamine, monoprotected tetramethylenediamine, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzylamine, isobutylamine, and R(+)--methylbenzylamine, in which molecular formulas of the subunits are as follows: ##STR00001##
in which P is independently an amino protecting group.

Provided herein are devices and methods used to produce tattoo biosensors that are based on spatially controlled intracutaneous gene delivery of optical reporters driven by specific transcription factor pathways for a given cytokine or other analyte. The biosensors can be specific to a given analyte, or more generically represent the convergence of several cytokines into commonly shared intracellular transcription factor pathways. These biosensors can be delivered as an array in order to monitor multiple cytokines. Biosensor redeployment can enable chronic monitoring from months to years. The tattooed biosensor array of the present invention includes endogenous reporter cells, naturally tuned to each patient's own biology and can be used to reliably measure the state of a patient in real-time.

A hybrid molecule comprising at least one contrast agent, and at least one substrate of a self-labeling enzyme, and optionally a fluorescent moiety is provided. Compositions comprising same and use thereof, are also provided.

Genetic constructs comprising reporter genes operably linked to cancer specific or cancer selective promoters (such as the progression elevated gene-3 (PEG-3) promoter and astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG-1) promoter) are provided, as are methods for their use in cancer imaging, cancer treatment, and combined imaging and treatment protocols, e.g. for imaging and/or treating spontaneous metastasis. Transgenic animals in which a reporter gene is linked to a cancer specific or cancer selective promoter, and which may be further genetically engineered, bred or selected to have a predisposition to develop cancer, are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions comprising naturally occurring light absorbing molecules for preventing damages from light exposure. Specific embodiments of this disclosure include fluorescent proteins from Brachiostoma lanceolatum.

As a calcium indicator protein having an excellent fluorescent characteristic and calcium reactivity, there is provided DNA in which one of a nucleotide sequence derivative of a calmodulin-binding sequence (ckkap sequence) of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase and a nucleotide sequence encoding a calcium-binding sequence (CaM sequence) of calmodulin is linked to a 5 end of a nucleotide sequence encoding a fluorescent protein, and the other nucleotide sequence is linked to a 3 end of the nucleotide sequence encoding the fluorescent protein. The calcium indicator protein encoded by this DNA, which based on the derivative of the ckkap sequence as a binding domain for the calcium-bound CaM sequence, exhibits a fluorescent characteristic and calcium reactivity superior to those of conventional calcium indicator proteins.

Advancements in solid tumor (e.g., renal cell carcinoma) treatments and imaging are described. The advancements are based on nanoformulations that: (i) overcome deliverability issues associated with anti-cancer compounds; (ii) have increased targeted delivery to tumors, and hypoxic cores of tumors due to the presence of targeting ligands; (iii) have increased delivery to the hypoxic cores of tumors due to engineered shapes; (iv) provide synergistic treatment combinations; and/or (v) overcome cancer cell resistance to therapeutic treatments.