Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for utilizing enzymes to act on metal ions in solution so that the ions are reduced to metal and deposited. These methods enable a wide range of applications including the detection of one or more constituents in a test sample.

Abstract: Described herein are nanoparticles that are coated with a bilayer of molecules formed from surface binding molecules and amphiphatic molecules. The bilayer coating self assembles on the nanoparticles from readily available materials/molecules. The modular design of the bilayer coated nanoparticles provides a means for readily and efficiently optimizing the properties of the bilayer coated nanoparticle compositions. Also described herein are uses of such nanoparticles in medicine, laboratory techniques, industrial and commerical applications.

Abstract: A method of performing radiation therapy includes delivering a therapeutic dose such as X-ray only to a target (e.g., tumor) with continuous broad beam (or in-effect continuous) using arrays of parallel planes of radiation (microbeams/microplanar beams). Microbeams spare normal tissues, and when interlaced at a tumor, form a broad-beam for tumor ablation. Bidirectional interlaced microbeam radiation therapy (BIMRT) uses two orthogonal arrays with inter-beam spacing equal to beam thickness. Multidirectional interlaced MRT (MIMRT) includes irradiations of arrays from several angles, which interleave at the target. Contrast agents, such as tungsten and gold, are administered to preferentially increase the target dose relative to the dose in normal tissue. Lighter elements, such as iodine and gadolinium, are used as scattering agents in conjunction with non-interleaving geometries of array(s) (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for utilizing enzymes to act on metal ions in solution so that the ions are reduced to metal. Additionally disclosed is how to use enzymes to accumulate metal particles. The alteration of metal particles by enzymes interacting with the organic shell of the particles is also described. These methods enable a wide range of applications including sensitive detection of genes and proteins, use as probes for microscopy, nanofabrication, biosensors, and remediation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using metal nanoparticles 0.5 to 400 nm in diameter to enhance the dose and effectiveness of x-rays or of other kinds of radiation in therapeutic regimes of ablating a target tissue such as tumor. The metal nanoparticles can be administered intravenously, intra-arterially, or locally to achieve specific loading in and around the target tissue. The metal nanoparticles can also be linked to chemical and/or biochemical moieties which bind specifically to the target tissue. The enhanced radiation methods can also be applied to ablate unwanted tissues or cells ex vivo.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles are described that are useful for enhancing the contrast of x-rays or other radiation sources. A method is disclosed whereby the agents are administered intravenously or intra-arterially to detect coronary senses and other vascular features. It is also disclosed how directing moieties attached to the metal particles are used to detect specific targets.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using metal nanoparticles 0.5 to 400 nm in diameter to enhance the dose and effectiveness of x-rays or of other kinds of radiation in therapeutic regimes of ablating a target tissue such as tumor. The metal nanoparticles can be administered intravenously, intra-arterially, or locally to achieve specific loading in and around the target tissue. The metal nanoparticles can also be linked to chemical and/or biochemical moieties which bind specifically to the target tissue. The enhanced radiation methods can also be applied to ablate unwanted tissues or cells ex vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for utilizing enzymes to act on metal ions in solution so that the ions are reduced to metal. Additionally, disclosed is how to use enzymes to accumulate metal particles. The alteration of metal particles by enzymes interacting with the organic shell of the particles is also described. These methods enable a wide range of applications including sensitive detection of genes and proteins, use as probes for microscopy, nanofabrication, biosensors, and remediation.

Abstract: Delivery of metal particles to living tissue, then applying external energy that interacts with the metal particles, is found to selectively increase the energy deposition and interaction surrounding the metal particles. The method is useful to improve treatment of various conditions, since targeted cells may be selectively altered or killed. Metal particles are also loaded into cells or membrane vesicles by placing metal seed particles into the cells or vesicles, then chemically depositing additional metal on the metal seed particles. The metal particles are useful to improve imaging and therapies by their interaction with externally applied energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for in vivo imaging tissue of a individual, by performing magnetic resonance imaging utilizing an extended cobalt complex as a contrast enhancement agent. The extended cobalt complex is comprised of cobalt atoms, a carboxylate ligand, an amine ligand, and a multidentate thiol-containing organic ligand, the cobalt atoms being linked to thiol groups and counter ions. The extended cobalt complex is characterized as stable, water soluble, non-aggregating, magnetic, and from 0.5 to 10 nm in size. This method is especially useful in imaging tumor tissue, and also tissue which is regenerating from a wound. The extended cobalt complex can be specifically targeted to a particular tissue to enable selective imaging of that tissue. This is done by linking the extended cobalt complex to a binding moiety which specifically binds a molecule selectively expressed in the tissue.

Abstract: Large cobalt and nickel complexes that may be linked to antibodies and other molecules are described. These may be useful in applications benefiting from their magnetic properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for utilizing enzymes to act on metal ions in solution so that the ions are reduced to metal. Additionally, disclosed is how to use enzymes to accumulate metal particles. The alteration of metal particles by enzymes interacting with the organic shell of the particles is also described. These methods enable a wide range of applications including sensitive detection of genes and proteins, use as probes for microscopy, nanofabrication, biosensors, and remediation.

Abstract: Novel metal-lipid molecules have the formula M—Or—L. M represents a cluster or colloid of atoms of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, or combinations thereof. Or is an organic group covalently attached to the metal atoms. L represents a lipid moiety. In a preferred embodiment, M represents a cluster of about 50-70 gold atoms having a diameter of about 1.4 nm in diameter and L represents dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for in vivo imaging tissue of a individual, by performing magnetic resonance imaging utilizing an extended cobalt complex as a contrast enhancement agent. The extended cobalt complex is comprised of cobalt atoms, a carboxylate ligand, an amine ligand, and a multidentate thiol-containing organic ligand, the cobalt atoms being linked to thiol groups and counter ions. The extended cobalt complex is characterized as stable, water soluble, non-aggregating, magnetic, and from 0.5 to 10 nm in size. This method is especially useful in imaging tumor tissue, and also tissue which is regenerating from a wound. The extended cobalt complex can be specifically targeted to a particular tissue to enable selective imaging of that tissue. This is done by linking the extended cobalt complex to a binding moiety which specifically binds a molecule selectively expressed in the tissue.

Abstract: Novel metal-lipid molecules have the formula M-Or-L. M represents a cluster or colloid of atoms of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, or combinations thereof. Or is an organic group covalently attached to the metal atoms. L represents a lipid moiety. In a preferred embodiment, M represents a cluster of about 50-70 gold atoms having a diameter of about 1.4 nm in diameter and L represents dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation and use of a biological delivery system are disclosed. The method of preparation includes the loading of a non-biological material into a biostructure having a load-bearing structure. The method also includes the removal of some of the biostructure's contents and the loading of a non-biological material into the biostructure. The biostructure is biologically compatible with the host, and preferably is derived from the host, the host's species or a related species. The loaded biostructure is used directly, or it can be targeted to specific cells, tissues and/or organs within a host. The targeted biostructure can be used to deliver the non-biological material to a specified tissue, organ or cell within a host for diagnostic, therapeutic or other purposes.

Abstract: Small organometallic probes comprise a core of metal atoms bonded to organic moieties. The metal atoms are gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a multifunctional organometallic probe comprises a core of metal atoms surrounded by a shell of organic moieties covalently attached to the metal atoms, a fluorescent molecule, e.g., fluorescein, covalently attached to one of the organic moieties, and a targeting molecule, e.g., an antibody, covalently attached to another of the organic moieties.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation and use of a biological delivery system are disclosed. The method of preparation includes the loading of a non-biological material into a biostructure having a load-bearing structure. The method also includes the removal of some of the biostructure's contents and the loading of a non-biological material into the biostructure. The biostructure is biologically compatible with the host, and preferably is derived from the host, the host's species or a related species. The loaded biostructure is used directly, or it can be targeted to specific cells, tissues and/or organs within a host. The targeted biostructure can be used to deliver the non-biological material to a specified tissue, organ or cell within a host for diagnostic, therapeutic or other purposes.

Abstract: Antibody- or antibody fragment-gold cluster conjugates are shown wherein the conjugate size can be as small as 5.0 nm. Methods and reagents are disclosed in which antibodies, Fab' or F(ab').sub.2 fragments thereof are covalently bound to a stable cluster of gold atoms. The gold clusters may contain 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 55 or 67 gold atoms in their inner core. The clusters may also contain radioactive gold. The antibody-cluster conjugates are useful in electron microscopy applications as well as in clinical applications that include imaging, diagnosis and therapy.