Abstract: Methods, particles and kits for determining kinase activity within a sample are provided. An embodiment of a method includes exposing a fluorescent particle to an assay, wherein the fluorescent particle includes a support substrate having one or more fluorescent materials and a peptide substrate coupled to the support substrate via a functional group of the support substrate. The method further includes phosphorylating the peptide substrate during exposure of the fluorescent particle to the assay and processing the fluorescent particle such that the peptide substrate is dephosphorylated and a polarized double bond is generated at a dephosphorylated site. In addition, the method includes coupling a fluorescent reporter having a nucleophilic terminal group to the fluorescent particle via the polarized double bond.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

Abstract: Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate in the presence of a microsphere. The reaction intermediate covalently attaches to a polymer of the microsphere thereby coupling the dye to the polymer and forming the dyed microsphere. Additional methods are provided for forming a dyed microsphere coupled to a molecule. These methods include dyeing the microspheres as described above in addition to synthesizing the molecule on an outer surface of the dyed microspheres. A population of dyed microspheres is also provided. Each of the dyed microspheres of the population includes a dye attached to a polymer of each of the dyed microspheres by a chemical structure. A coefficient of variation in dye characteristics of the population of dyed microspheres attributable to the dye is less than about 10%.

Abstract: Various methods for altering surface characteristics of a microsphere are provided. One method includes coupling an enolic acid to the microsphere to modify the surface characteristics of the microsphere. The surface characteristics may include charge density and/or pKa. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid. The reagent may include a biomolecule. The modified surface characteristics may increase a stability of the reagent when the reagent is coupled to the microsphere. The modified surface characteristics may also improve performance of an assay carried out with the microsphere. Another embodiment relates to a microsphere that includes an enolic acid coupled to a polymer core of the microsphere such that the enolic acid modifies surface characteristics of the microsphere. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) wherein Z is O, S, or NR35 wherein R35 is H or alkyl; R1-R5 are each independently H, alkyl, halo, carboxyl, amino, or SO3?Cat+, wherein Cat+ is a cation and at least one of R1-R5 is SO3?Cat+; R6 and R7 are each H, alkyl, or optionally, together with the (a) group to which they are bonded, form a ring; m and n are each independently integers from 0 to 5; X and Y are each independently O, S, Se or CR19R20, wherein R19 and R20 are each independently alkyl, or optionally form a ring together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded; R8 and R13 are each independently alkyl, (CH2)rR25 or (CH2)rR18; wherein at least one of R8 and R13 (CH2)rR18 and wherein r is an integer from 1 to 50, and R25 is a functional group that does not directly react with a carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, or a thiol group, and R18 is a functional group that can react with a carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, or thiol group; and R9-R12 and R14-R17 are each independently H, alkyl, halo, amino, sulfonato, R21 COOH,