The present invention relates to a targeting-type capsule for drug delivery systems. The present invention addresses the problem of providing a capsule for drug delivery systems by utilizing the reactivity of a thiol with an alkyl halide, wherein the capsule comprises a silole-containing carbosilane dendrimer and a labeling protein containing a target recognition site (e.g., green fluorescent protein), can include a biological polymer or another molecule therein, and can deliver the biological polymer or the like selectively into a target cell.

The disclosure comprises novel Coelenterazine compounds and methods of use, including a simple delivery device for the photoprotein to create effects by their luminous reaction upon contact with surfaces that contain calcium. Calcium is ubiquitous in and on most surfaces and in the environment; it is this unique property of calcium that makes this a novel use of the photoproteins for entertainment. A base coelenterazine structure is depicted below. ##STR00001##

Provided herein are fusion proteins comprising a single domain antibody (sdAb) (including, but not limited to, a nanobody) that binds selectively to a specific antigen, wherein a second polypeptide is inserted into the single domain antibody, generating an internal fusion. Also provided are methods of making and methods of using the fusion proteins disclosed herein.

Provided herein are split reporter systems for detecting poly-ADP ribose polymerase activity in living systems. In some aspects, the split reporter systems comprise a first fusion protein comprising a first fragment of a reporter protein functionally linked to a first poly-ADP ribose binding moiety; and a second fusion protein comprising a second fragment of the reporter protein functionally linked to a second poly-ADP ribose binding moiety wherein the first and second fragments of the reporter protein are each non-functional and capable of recombining, optionally in the presence of a substrate, to form a functional reporter protein capable of producing a detectable signal. Also provided are methods of use thereof.

A bioluminescent protein is provided that includes a substituted luciferase polypeptide having amino acid substitutions at positions 21 and 166, and with one or more additional amino acid substitutions at positions 3, 16, 20, 29, 30, 71, 87, 114, and 144, compared to the parent polypeptide. Also provided is a luciferin that has a selenium-containing group at position C8 of an imidazopyrazine backbone, and methods of making the luciferin. In addition, nucleic acids encoding the bioluminescent protein, cells expressing the bioluminescent protein, and reactions between the bioluminescent protein and luciferin substrates are also provided. Fusions between the substituted luciferase polypeptide and a fluorescent protein are also provided for bioluminescence resonance energy transfer based reporters.

A ferumoxytol-based dual-modality imaging probe for long-term stem cell tracking through MRI and early diagnosis of cell apoptosis through simultaneous fluorescence imaging is provided. Specifically, a ferumoxytol-based dual-modality imaging probe is provided with enhanced T.sub.2* relaxivity for tracking stem cells through magnetic resonance imaging and detecting apoptotic stem cells through fluorescence imaging.

A method and system to prevent sore throat infections in humans includes the administration of an active ingredient to a site on the mucus membranes of the throat of a human that inhibits adherence and promotes desorption of S. pyogenes to soft tissue surfaces, such as the pharyngeal and oral mucosa of a human. A mucoadhesive strip having a surface topography that resists bioadhesion of undesired bacteria that are typically present in a human's mouth is preferably employed and that has one or more encapsulated agents selected from the group consisting of an antibiotic; lactic acid bacteria; S. pyogenes modified by a CRISPR-Cas system to reduce one or more virulence factors; and a breath mint solution.

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 presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to genetic constructs and methods for their use in cancer imaging, cancer treatment, and combined imaging and treatment protocols. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to tripartite cancer theranostic nucleic acid constructs that permit simultaneous cancer specific viral replication, expression of a diagnostic gene product, and expression of a therapeutic gene.

Disclosed herein is a composition for imaging nerve cells. The composition includes a fluorescent dye; and a viral component including a neurotropic herpes varicellae unable to replicate in nerve cells, a viral protein of a neurotropic herpes varicellae unable to replicate in nerve cells, a capsid of a neurotropic herpes varicellae unable to replicate in nerve cells, or a combination thereof. The fluorescent dye is bound to the viral component to form a dye/viral component complex that is capable of penetrating nerve cells.