Abstract: The present invention relates to oligomer compounds, including dimers and trimers, formed by a disulfide, sulfinyl thio, olefin or hydrocarbon bond, or a hydrazone exchange bond between two or more monomers. Methods of making the monomers and the oligomers is also disclosed. Use of the compounds for inhibiting the activity of target RNA molecules, particularly those having a secondary structure that include a stem or stem-loop formation. Dimer compounds capable of inhibiting the activity of an HIV-1 RNA frameshifting stem-loop and a (CUG)n expanded repeat stem-loop are disclosed, as are methods of treating diseases associated with these target RNA molecules.

Abstract: A sensor chip that includes: a fluorescence quenching surface; a nucleic acid probe that contains first and second ends with the first end bound to the fluorescence quenching surface, a first region, and a second region complementary to the first region, the nucleic acid probe having, under appropriate conditions, either a hairpin conformation with the first and second regions hybridized together or a non-hairpin conformation; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic acid molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the fluorescence quenching surface substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore; and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in the non-hairpin conformation, fluorescent emissions by the fluorophore are substantially free of quenching by the fluorescence quenching surface. Methods of making the sensor chip, and their methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against an influenza virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of hemagglutinin polypeptides bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate, each hemagglutinin polypeptide having a hemagglutinin epitope. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting influenza immune responses are also described herein.

Abstract: A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against a virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of virus-like particles or capsid fragments bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting anti-viral immune responses are also described herein.

Abstract: A flow cell for use in an arrayed imaging reflectometry detection system is described herein. The flow cell includes: first and second members that are secured together to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber having an inlet and an outlet, at least the second member being light transmissive; and a chip having a substrate, one or more coating layers on the substrate, and one or more probe molecules tethered to the outermost coating layer, the chip being positioned with the outermost coating layer and the one or more probe molecules thereon exposed to fluid in the chamber and facing the second member, whereby light passing through the second member is reflected by the chip.

Abstract: A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against an influenza virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of hemagglutinin polypeptides bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate, each hemagglutinin polypeptide having a hemagglutinin epitope. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting influenza immune responses are also described herein.

Abstract: A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against a virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of virus-like particles or capsid fragments bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting anti-viral immune responses are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a formulations and methods for coupling a reactant (or probe precursor) to a functionalized surface for purposes of forming an arrayed sensor. This method includes the steps of: providing a surface having a reactive functional group; and introducing onto the surface, at a plurality of discrete locations, two or more compositions of the invention, which include a different reactant (probe precursor) and a non-nucleophilic additive, wherein such introduction is carried out under conditions effective to allow for covalent binding of the reactant to the surface via the reactive functional group. This results in a probe-functionalized array that substantially overcomes the problem of surface morphological anomalies on the array surface. Use of the resulting arrays in various detection systems is also encompassed.

Abstract: Small molecules are used to inhibit specific receptor-ligand interaction between Alzheimer's amyloid-? peptide (A?) and Receptor for Advanced Gly-cation Endproducts (RAGE). Objectives include treating Alzheimer's disease and other pathologies involving cerebral amyloid angiopathy; improving blood flow to or within the brain; decreasing the level of A? in the brain; reducing neuropathology associated with Alzheimer's disease; reducing inflammation and/or oxidant stress in the brain; improving memory and/or learning; treating other conditions involving A?/RAGE interaction at the blood-brain barrier, RAGE-mediated transport of A? into the brain, or RAGE activation in brain vasculature and/or brain parenchyma (e.g., diabetic complications); or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to two-dimensional photonic crystal arrays and their use in biological sensor chips, including those in the form of microfluidic devices. Methods of making the two-dimensional photonic crystals and biological sensor chips are described herein, as are uses of these devices to detect biological targets in samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to homo- and hetero-dimer compounds formed by a disulfide, sulfinyl thio, or olefin bond between two monomers. A method of making a homo- or hetero-dimer compound is also disclosed. The present invention also relates to monomer compounds capable of forming homo- or hetero-dimer compounds, as well as oligomers formed via linkage of one or more dimers. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting the activity of target RNA molecules, particularly those having a secondary structure that include a stem or stem-loop formation. Dimer compounds capable of inhibiting the activity of an HIV-I RNA frameshifting stem-loop and a (CUG)n expanded repeat stem-loop are disclosed, as are methods of treating diseases associated with these target RNA molecules. The dimer compounds can also be used for selectively detecting presence of the target RNA molecule in a sample.

Abstract: A sensor chip that includes: a fluorescence quenching surface; a nucleic acid probe that contains first and second ends with the first end bound to the fluorescence quenching surface, and is characterized by being able to self-anneal into a hairpin conformation; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic acid molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the fluorescence quenching surface substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore; and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in a non-hairpin conformation, fluorescent emissions by the fluorophore are substantially free of quenching by the fluorescence quenching surface. Various nucleic acid probes, methods of making the sensor chip, biological sensor devices that contain the sensor chip, and their methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to small molecule modulators of melanin expression and methods of making the small molecules. Also disclosed are methods of increasing pigmentation in a cell which involve providing compounds of the present invention and contacting a cell with the compounds under conditions effective to induce melanin expression in the cell, thereby increasing pigmentation. The present invention also relates to compositions containing compounds of the present invention and a carrier.

Abstract: A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against a virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of virus-like particles or capsid fragments bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting anti-viral immune responses are also described herein.

Abstract: A tri-podal compound according to formula (I) wherein, each Z is the same and is a substituted or unsubstituted N-heteroaromatic single-, multiple-, or fused-ring; and each A is the same, and can represent a direct bond between the cyclohexane ring and Z, or a carboxamide group (—C(O)—N(H)—). Use of the compounds in combinatorial libraries, methods of making the tripodal compounds, sensor devices for detecting carbohydrate targets, and methods of using the tripodal compounds to detect carbohydrate targets in a sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against an influenza virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of hemagglutinin polypeptides bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate, each hemagglutinin polypeptide having a hemagglutinin epitope. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting influenza immune responses are also described herein.

Abstract: Method of identifying molecular beacons in which a secondary structure prediction algorithm is employed to identify oligonucleotide sequences within a target gene having the requisite hairpin structure. Isolated oligonucleotides, molecular beacons prepared from those oligonucleotides, and their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow cell for use in an arrayed imaging reflectometry detection system is described herein. The flow cell includes: first and second members that are secured together to define a substantially fluid-tight chamber having an inlet and an outlet, at least the second member being light transmissive; and a chip having a substrate, one or more coating layers on the substrate, and one or more probe molecules tethered to the outermost coating layer, the chip being positioned with the outermost coating layer and the one or more probe molecules thereon exposed to fluid in the chamber and facing the second member, whereby light passing through the second member is reflected by the chip.

Abstract: A sensor chip and detection device are disclosed. The sensor chip includes a substrate, at least a portion of which is covered by a metal nanoparticle film; a first nucleic acid molecule that is characterized by being able to (i) self-anneal into a hairpin conformation and (ii) hybridize specifically to a target nucleic acid molecule, the first nucleic acid molecule having first and second ends, which first end is tethered to the metal nanoparticle film; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the metal nanoparticle film substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore, and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in a non-hairpin conformation fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore are surface plasmon-enhanced.

Abstract: Method of identifying molecular beacons in which a secondary structure prediction algorithm is employed to identify oligonucleotide sequences within a target gene having the requisite hairpin structure. Isolated oligonucleotides, molecular beacons prepared from those oligonucleotides, and their use are also disclosed.