Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions useful for in vivo and/or in vitro enzyme profiling. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of in vivo enzymatic processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence of active enzymes associated with diseases or conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides compositions and in vitro methods for localization of enzymatic activity in a tissue sample.

A method may include wet ball milling a plurality of iron nitride nanoparticles in the presence of a surface active agent to modify a surface of the plurality of iron nitride nanoparticles and form a plurality of surface-modified iron nitride nanoparticles for a variety of biomedical applications and soft magnetic materials related applications.

Provided is a bilirubin derivative-based ultrasound contrast agent for diagnosis and treatment. The fine particles including the bilirubin derivative are sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), bind with hydrophobic drugs, and can effectively chelate metals such as iron oxide nanoparticles. Therefore, the fine particle of the present invention can be used as an ultrasound contrast agent for diagnosis, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, or as a carrier for hydrophobic drugs or platinum-based drugs.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions useful for in vivo and/or in vitro enzyme profiling. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of in vivo enzymatic processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence of active enzymes associated with diseases or conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides compositions and in vitro methods for localization of enzymatic activity in a tissue sample.

Nanoparticle-sized magnetic absorption enhancers (MAEs) exhibiting a controlled response to a magnetic field, including a controlled mechanical response and an inductive thermal response. The MAEs have a magnetic material that exhibits inductive thermal response to the magnetic field and is embedded in a coating, such that the MAE conforms to a particular shape, e.g., hemisphere, dome or shell, chosen to produce the controlled mechanical response. A targeting moiety for specifically binding the MAE to a pathogen target is also provided. The MAEs can be bound by a flexible linker to promote the desired mechanical response, which includes interactions between MAEs that are not bound to any pathogen target for the purpose of forming spheres, spherical shells, or generally spherical dimers to contain the thermal energy produced and to thus reduce collateral healthy tissue damage during hyperthermic treatment.

A composition comprises an anti-nucleolin agent and PEG conjugated to nanoparticles. Preferably the nanoparticles have an average diameter of 1 to 50 nm. Preferably, the nanopanicles comprise at least one inorganic material selected from the group consisting of metals, elements and oxides.

The present application discloses treating water insoluble nanoparticles, particularly nanoparticles of metals and metal compounds which find utility in diagnostic imaging such as MR and X-ray imaging, with an alpha-hydroxyphosphonic acid conjugate with a hydrophilic moiety to render the nanoparticles sufficiently hydrophilic to find utility in diagnostic imaging. Among the modified hydrophilic nanoparticles disclosed are those in which the hydrophilic moieties of the modifying conjugate are ethylene oxide based polymers and copolymers and zwitterions and the nanoparticles are composed of transition metal oxides such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and tantalum oxide. Disclosed are nanoparticles which are sufficiently hydrophilic to form stable aqueous colloidal suspensions. Also disclosed is diagnostic imaging such as MR and X-ray using the modified hydrophilic nanoparticles as contrast agents.

The present invention relates to magnetic nanostructures as theranostic agents, which provide dual function as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions comprising magnetic nanostructures and their use as targeted therapeutic agents for cancers (e.g., medulloblastoma) and Alzheimer's disease and related diseases and conditions.

The present invention relates to a contrast agent for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and more particularly, to a contrast agent for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging containing melanin nanoparticles having a uniform shape and size, thereby providing good dispersibility in water, no cell toxicity, and a long retention time in vivo.

Disclosed herein are nanoconstructs comprising a nanoparticle, coated with additional agents such as cationic polymers, stabilizers, targeting molecules, labels, oligonucleotides and small molecules. These constructs may be used to deliver compounds to treat solid tumors and to diagnose cancer and other diseases. Further disclosed are methods of making such compounds and use of such compounds to treat or diagnose human disease.