Abstract: A bispecific cytotoxic lymphocyte or macrophage-redirecting autoantibody comprising a cytotoxic lymphocyte or macrophage targeting domain and an autoantibody. Methods for producing bispecific cytotoxic lymphocyte or macrophage-redirecting autoantibody comprising a cytotoxic lymphocyte or macrophage targeting domain and an autoantibody. Methods for treating a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an isolated bispecific cytotoxic lymphocyte or macrophage-redirecting autoantibody.

Abstract: The invention relates to amphiphilic dye-coated inorganic nanoparticle clusters and uses thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to cyanine and/or cyclic tetrapyrrole dye-coated metallic nanoparticle clusters for use in medical imaging and treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to proximity-based sortase-mediated protein purification and ligation. Specifically, the invention relates to techniques that links protein expression/purification with conjugation to therapeutic agents, imaging agents, or linkers.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for adoptive T cell therapy in treating a variety of disorders including cancer, infections, and autoimmune disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a universal immune receptor that comprises a protein or peptide tag, such as a SpyCatcher or a SpyTag moiety, bound to an extracellular hinge region, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain for T cell activation.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibody conjugates (e.g., a bispecific antibody), drug and nanoparticle compositions and methods and compositions for generating them. This invention further relates to methods of using these compositions for imaging, diagnosing or treating a disease.

Abstract: An ultrasonication apparatus is provided for improving catheter function. The ultrasonication apparatus includes a transducer configured to produce ultrasonic waves for ultrasonication and a chamber for containing a fluid having a passage for receiving a catheter. The chamber is adapted to receive the ultrasonic waves from the transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sortase-mediated protein purification and ligation. Specifically, the invention relates to a technique that links protein expression/purification with conjugation to therapeutic agents, imaging agents, or linkers.

Abstract: Nanoclusters comprising inorganic nanocrystals and a biodegradable polymer are disclosed. The inorganic nanocrystals have a mean particle size of 1 to 500 nm. The inorganic nanocrystals are contained within a core of the nanoclusters, on the surface of the nanoclusters, contained within a core of the nanoclusters, dispersed throughout the nanoclusters, or a combination thereof. The biodegradable polymer allows the inorganic nanocrystals to be excreted renally over a period of time. The nanoclusters can be used for medical imaging or other biomedical applications.

Abstract: Gadolinium complexes for use as contrast agents, and methods for making and using the gadolinium complexes, are described. The contrast agent complexes preferably have a net positive charge, and can electrostatically interact with glycosaminoglycans to improve the delineation of fine tears within cartilage, detection of cartilage degeneration, or assessment of cartilage thickness, morphology, or glycosaminoglycan content via magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Nanoparticles for use as a contrast agent, and methods for making and using the nanoparticles, are described, wherein each nanoparticle comprises a core comprising bismuth and iron oxide, and an outer coating (e.g., dextran) surrounding the core. The bismuth-iron oxide nanoparticles can be used in pre-clinical and clinical settings for both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Abstract: Contrast agents for x-ray imaging including stabilized metal nanoparticles and encapsulated nanoparticles, as well as methods for imaging tissue with these agents, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of dual energy x-ray imaging using metal nanoparticle contrast agents or encapsulated metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: This invention relates to conjugate antibody, drug and nanoparticle compositions and methods of generating the same. This invention further relates to methods of using same for imaging, diagnosing or treating a disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sortase-mediated protein purification and ligation. Specifically, the invention relates to a technique that links protein expression/purification with conjugation to therapeutic agents, imaging agents, or linkers.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions and methods for the detection of a target molecule. Specifically, the invention provides a bimolecular beacon composition comprising two nucleic acid molecules, and methods thereof. One of the nucleic acid molecule is operably linked to a reporter detectable label and the other nucleic acid molecule is operably linked to a reference detectable label and a quencher. In some embodiments, at least one of the nucleic acid molecules comprises a single stranded overhang.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanocluster compositions and uses thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to gadolinium-linked nanocluster compositions and their use in diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The nanocluster compositions of the invention are effective in enhancing the payload of a gadolinium and thereby increasing the longitudinal relaxivity of each particle in the cluster.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel ratiometric bioluminescent sensor and methods of use thereof. The bioluminescent sensor comprises two luminescent proteins that exhibit different characteristics associated a biological condition, and thereby illuminates differently in response to the biological condition. A ratio between the luminescence of the two luminescent proteins indicates a change in the biological condition. The bioluminescent sensor of the invention can be used to image an oxidative stress or its associated conditions, including a programmed cell death.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a molecular probe for detection of a nucleic acid target containing a preselected target sequence is constructed and has at least two sources of a signal: a conventional reporter source and a reference source in a form of a luminescent material, e.g., a fluorophore, quantum dot, fluorescent nanoparticle, or other fluorescent reference dye/nanoparticle/microparticle conjugated to the molecular probe.

Abstract: Dual nucleic acid probes with resonance energy transfer moieties are provided. In particular, fluorescent or luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties are provided on hairpin stem-loop molecular beacon probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid, e.g. mRNA, to generate an observable interaction. The invention also provides lanthanide chelate luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties on linear and stem-loop probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid to generate an observable interaction. The invention thereby provides detectable signals for rapid, specific and sensitive hybridization determination in vivo. The probes are used in methods of detection of nucleic acid target hybridization for the identification and quantification of tissue and cell-specific gene expression levels, including response to external stimuli, such as drug candidates, and genetic variations associated with disease, such as cancer.

Abstract: Dual nucleic acid probes with resonance energy transfer moieties are provided. In particular, fluorescent or luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties are provided on hairpin stem-loop molecular beacon probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid, e.g. mRNA, to generate an observable interaction. The invention also provides lanthanide chelate luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties on linear and stem-loop probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid to generate an observable interaction. The invention thereby provides detectable signals for rapid, specific and sensitive hybridization determination in vivo. The probes are used in methods of detection of nucleic acid target hybridization for the identification and quantification of tissue and cell-specific gene expression levels, including response to external stimuli, such as drug candidates, and genetic variations associated with disease, such as cancer.

Abstract: Dual nucleic acid probes with resonance energy transfer moieties are provided. In particular, fluorescent or luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties are provided on hairpin stem-loop molecular beacon probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid, e.g. mRNA, to generate an observable interaction. The invention also provides lanthanide chelate luminescent resonance energy transfer moieties on linear and stem-loop probes that hybridize sufficiently near each other on a subject nucleic acid to generate an observable interaction. The invention thereby provides detectable signals for rapid, specific and sensitive hybridization determination in vivo. The probes are used in methods of detection of nucleic acid target hybridization for the identification and quantification of tissue and cell-specific gene expression levels, including response to external stimuli, such as drug candidates, and genetic variations associated with disease, such as cancer.