The invention relates to novel biocompatible hybrid nanoparticles of very small size, useful in particular for diagnostics and/or therapy.

The purpose of the invention is to offer novel nanoparticles which are useful in particular as contrast agents in imaging (e.g. MRI) and/or in other diagnostic techniques and/or as therapeutic agents, which give better performance than the known nanoparticles of the same type and which combine both a small size (for example less than 20 nm) and a high loading with metals (e.g. rare earths), in particular so as to have, in imaging (e.g. MRI), strong intensification and a correct response (increased relaxivity) at high frequencies. The method for the production of these nanoparticles and the applications thereof in imaging and in therapy also form part of the invention.

Provided is a tissue staining composition containing carbon particles having a mean particle diameter less than 0.3 μm in diameter (optionally less than 0.2 μm in diameter) together with one or more agents that maintain the carbon particles in suspension (for example, an anti-settling agent and/or surfactant). In certain circumstances, the anti-settling agent may also have mucoadhesive properties. The tissue staining composition is visually dark and does not disperse rapidly when introduced into regions of tissue of interest making it ideal for marking the regions that can be visualized clearly and over prolonged periods of time via, for example, direct visualization, endoscopic or laparoscopic inspection. The invention also provides methods of making and using the tissue staining composition for marking regions of tissue of interest, for example, gastrointestinal tissue, as well as other tissues.

Zwitterionic luminescent polymeric nanoparticles, which include at least one luminescent dye and at least one random copolymer, and the method of preparing the zwitterionic luminescent polymeric nanoparticles. Also, the use of these zwitterionic luminescent polymeric nanoparticles in the medical field and in the biological research field for in vitro or in vivo detection or tracking of a target biological molecule.

Described herein are nanoprobes comprising ultrasmall aminated and cRGDY-conjugated nanoparticles labeled with Zirconium-89 (.sup.89Zr) and methods of their use. The provided compositions are renally clearable and possess suitable blood circulation half-time, high tumor active targeting capability, dominant renal clearance, low liver accumulation, and a high tumor-to-background ratio. The described nanoprobes exhibit great potential as “target-or-clear” tracers to human subjects for systemic targeted imaging (or treatment) of cancer.

Dye-loaded fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles working as light-harvesting nano-antenna, which efficiently transfer the excitation energy to acceptor dyes and, therefore, amplifies emission of the latter are provided.

The current invention relates to the use of a neural network to improve the quality of images obtained from light scattered by an intermediate object that scatters light, such as tissue or a frosted screen. The invention relates to a method of imaging a human or animal bode using a nanocrystal array capable of fluorescing upon excitation from light from a near-infrared light source. This invention also relates to detection means and apparatus used in said methods, as well as to quantum dots useful in said use.

Nanoparticles, methods, and kits are provided for supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells. Nutrient deprivation is a significant factor which contributes to poor outcome of many cell transplants because cells receive insufficient nutrients until they are able to establish a functional microcirculation to support their metabolic and physiological needs after transplantation. Nanoparticles are provided for use in supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells to improve cell survival. Such nanoparticles can be used to supply nutrients and other factors to transplanted cells until the transplanted cells are able to develop a new microcirculation.

Cationic polymers having one or more anionic ligand end groups, including a new class of carboxylated branched poly(beta-amino ester)s that can self-assemble into nanoparticles for efficient intracellular delivery of different biomolecules, including a variety of proteins is disclosed.

A nanoprobe system for in vivo use comprises a plasmonic-active nanoparticle and a molecular probe system. The molecular probe system comprises an oligonucleotide capable of forming a stem-loop configuration, having a first end and a second end, wherein the oligonucleotide is immobilized to the plasmonic-active nanoparticle at the first end and labeled with a Raman reporter at the second end, a placeholder strand at least partially bound to the oligonucleotide, and an attachment mechanism for attachment to a cell membrane.

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): A-B-C (I), wherein A is a hydrophobic moiety; B is a peptide, wherein the peptide forms a beta-sheet; and C is a hydrophilic targeting ligand, wherein the hydrophilic targeting ligand is a LLP2A prodrug, LLP2A, LXY30, LXW64, DUPA, folate, a LHRH peptide, a HER2 ligand, an EGFR ligand, or a toll-like receptor agonist CpG oligonucleotides. The present invention also provides nanocarriers comprising compounds of the present invention, nanofibril formation from the nanocarriers, and methods of using the nanocarriers for treating diseases and imaging.