Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises

##STR00001##

wherein R′ is —H or —CH.sub.3, wherein R is —NR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

The present invention relates to providing fluorescent silica nanoparticles having high luminance even when many fluorescent dyes are contained in silica particles. Fluorescent silica nanoparticles according to the present invention is fluorescent silica nanoparticles including silica nanoparticles and fluorescent dyes contained in the silica nanoparticles, in which a total volume of the fluorescent dyes is 5% or more with respect to a total volume of the fluorescent silica nanoparticles, and an emission quantum yield of the fluorescent silica nanoparticles is 10% or more.

Described are compounds, compositions, and methods suitable for diagnosing individuals with eye injuries and/or diseases. The compounds of the present disclosure have fluorescent groups and bis-dipicolylamine groups, which may be substituted or unsubstituted. The fluorescent group and bis-dipicolylamine group are connected by linking groups. The compositions may be formulated and administered as an eye drop. The methods may be used to track and/or label dying cells associated with eye injuries and/or diseases, such as, for example, retinal degenerations including, but not limited to, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.

The present invention relates to intraoperative fluorescent imaging (IFI) used both pre-clinically using in-vivo models, as well as clinically to map sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer, skin cancer, GI cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and several other cancers. IFI can be used to image solid tumors both non-specifically in hepatobiliary and breast cancers as well as in prostate and ovarian cancer. In one embodiment, two-dimensional resolution to 10 μm.sup.2 is possible with optical imaging, significantly higher than other imaging modalities. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a series of self-assembled nanoparticles using HLA (hyaluronic acid) as both a polymeric backbone as well as targeting ligand. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to the synthesis of HLA conjugates, and the effect of variation of the hydrophobic ligand structure and conjugation level on nanoparticle self-assembly, size, ICG loading efficiency, and ICG fluorescence quenching and reactivation.

The invention relates to Cathepsin-binding compounds bound to a carrier comprising a diagnostic moiety, for use in the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, and/or for use in the diagnosis of neoplastic diseases, wherein the Cathepsin-binding compound binds to inflammatory cells of the tumour stroma. The invention also relates to Cathepsin B-targeting compounds and Cathepsin B-binding and liposome-binding compounds.

To provide a compound having high TB and a contrast agent for optical imaging. The compound has a molecular weight of a specific range, the compound in which two polyethylene glycols are bonded to a specific cyanine pigment through a linker. The present invention provides a compound which has a high T/B and which can be used as a contrast agent capable of imaging a tumor portion with high contrast.

Silica nanorings, methods of making silica nanorings, and uses of silica nanorings. The silica nanorings may be surface selective functionalization, with one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) group(s), one or more display group(s), one or more functional group(s), or a combination thereof. The silica nanorings may have a size of 5 to 20 nm. The silica nanorings may be made using micelles. The absence or presence of the micelles during PEGylation and/or functionalization allows for the surface selective functionalization. The silica nanorings may be used in various diagnostic and/or treatment methods.

Silica nanorings, methods of making silica nanorings, and uses of silica nanorings. The silica nanorings may be PEGylated. The silica nanorings may be surface functionalized, which may be surface selective functionalization, with one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) group(s), one or more display group(s), one or more functional group(s), or a combination thereof. The silica nanorings may have a size of 5 to 20 nm. The silica nanorings may be made using micelles. The absence or presence of the micelles during PEGylation and/or functionalization allows for surface selective functionalization. The silica nanorings may be used in various diagnostic and/or treatment methods.

A method for fabricating a nanostructure comprises adding a fungal mycelium (114) in a growth vessel (110). The growth vessel (110) comprising a growth medium (118). In the next step, the nanostructure is added in the growth vessel (110) which is then absorbed by the fungal mycelium (114) and finally distributed throughout the fungal mycelium (114). Further, a delivery vehicle for payload (206) is also disclosed which comprises the fabricated nanostructure.

Disclosed herein, inter alia, are methods for detecting cancer using nanoparticles.