Abstract: The present disclosure provides nucleic acid binding nanoprobes having one or more fluorochromes and a polymer, where each of the fluorochromes is connected to the polymer, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a radiolabeled nanoparticle. The method includes heating a solution including an iron oxide nanoparticle and at least one radioactive metal ion to bind the iron oxide nanoparticle and the at least one radioactive metal ion, thereby forming the radiolabeled nanoparticle. The method further includes adding a quenching agent to the solution to complex with non-bound radioactive metal ions remaining in the solution. The method further includes separating the complexed quenching agent from the radiolabeled nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nucleic acid binding nanoprobes having one or more fluorochromes and a polymer, where each of the fluorochromes is connected to the polymer, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Abstract: A method of obtaining fluorochromes that bind to specific sites on proteins is presented. The method consists of synthesizing a peptide bearing a sequence from a parent protein and a second peptide of similar composition but with a scrambled sequence. Each peptide is then added to a test fluorochrome at similar concentrations, and a difference in fluorescence is obtained. A difference in fluorescence indicates a sequence dependent interaction between the peptide and fluorochrome. A large number of fluorochromes can be screened using the two peptides to find one binding in a sequence dependent fashion. This fluorochrome can then be tested for binding to the original full-length protein. The fluorochrome can then serve as scaffold in medicinal chemistry. The fluorochrome/peptide interaction and resulting fluorescence can be inhibited by non-fluorescent test compounds, which are compounds that bind to this peptide. Thus.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a radiolabeled nanoparticle. The method includes heating a solution including an iron oxide nanoparticle and at least one radioactive metal ion to bind the iron oxide nanoparticle and the at least one radioactive metal ion, thereby forming the radiolabeled nanoparticle. The method further includes adding a quenching agent to the solution to complex with non-bound radioactive metal ions remaining in the solution. The method further includes separating the complexed quenching agent from the radiolabeled nanoparticle.

Abstract: Multifunctional probes include a substrate (e.g., a nanoparticle, polymer, antibody, protein, low molecular weight compound, drug) and a multifunctional single-attachment-point (MSAP) reagent. The MSAP reagents can include three components: (i) a peptide scaffold, (ii) a single chemically reactive group on the peptide scaffold for reaction of the MSAP with a substrate having a complementary reactive group, and (iii) multiple functional groups on the peptide scaffold. The peptide scaffold can include any number of residues; however, for ease of synthesis and reproducibility in clinical trials, it is preferred to limit the residues in the peptide to 20 or less.

Abstract: Fluorescent compounds include near infrared fluorochromes that are covalently linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG). The compounds behave like PEG in biological systems. One fluorescent compound has the formula (I): wherein R1 is a fluorescent moiety having an absorption wavelength maxima in the range of 450 to 1500 nanometers, R2 is a non-reactive moiety, and n is an integer. Another fluorescent compound has the formula (II): wherein R1 is a fluorescent moiety having an absorption wavelength maxima in the range of 450 to 1500 nanometers, R2 is a non-reactive moiety, R3 is a scaffold including an amino acid group, and n is an integer. The scaffold can be attached to a chelate, protein, enzyme, peptide, antibody, or drug that can target a site in a subject.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to magnetic resonance (MR)-based methods and kits for measuring the viscosity of liquid samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetic resonance-based sensors and related methods.

Abstract: Multifunctional probes are synthesized in a single step using peptide scaffold-based multifunctional single-attachment-point reagents. To obtain multifunctional probes of the invention, a substrate (e.g., a nanoparticle, polymer, antibody, protein, low molecular weight compound, drug, etc.) is reacted with a multifunctional single-attachment-point (MSAP) reagent. The MSAP reagents can include three components: (i) a peptide scaffold, (ii) a single chemically reactive group on the peptide scaffold for reaction of the MSAP with a substrate having a complementary reactive group, and (iii) multiple functional groups on the peptide scaffold. The peptide scaffold can include any number of residues; however, for ease of synthesis and reproducibility in clinical trials, it is preferred to limit the residues in the peptide to 20 or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Abstract: Multifunctional probes are synthesized in a single step using peptide scaffold-based multifunctional single-attachment-point reagents. To obtain multifunctional probes using the methods of the invention, a substrate (e.g., a nanoparticle, polymer, antibody, protein, low molecular weight compound, drug, etc.) is reacted with a multifunctional single-attachment-point (MSAP) reagent. The MSAP reagents can include three components: (i) a peptide scaffold, (ii) a single chemically reactive group on the peptide scaffold for reaction of the MSAP with a substrate having a complementary reactive group, and (iii) multiple functional groups on the peptide scaffold. The peptide scaffold can include any number of residues; however, for ease of synthesis and reproducibility in clinical trials, it is preferred to limit the residues in the peptide to 20 or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetic resonance-based sensors and related methods.

Abstract: An intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probe that emits substantial fluorescence only after interaction with a target tissue (i.e., activation) is disclosed. The probe includes a polymeric backbone and a plurality of near infrared fluorochromes covalently linked to the backbone at fluorescence-quenching interaction-permissive positions separable by enzymatic cleavage at fluorescence activation sites. The probe optionally includes protective chains or fluorochrome spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probes for in vivo optical imaging.

Abstract: Amine functionalized magnetic nanoparticle compositions and processes for synthesizing the same are described. The process consists of obtaining a carboxylated polymer in substantially pure form, which is used to prepare a substantially size homogeneous, polymer coated carboxyl, functionalized magnetic nanoparticle. The carboxyl groups are converted to reactive primary amino groups by the use of a water-soluble carbodiimide followed by reaction of a large excess of a diamine. The amine-terminated nanoparticles are then reacted with bifunctional crosslinking agents and with various biomolecules to make nanoparticles for in vitro assays, cell sorting applications and target specific MR contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods based on vital fluorochrome conjugates that are useful for imaging dying and dead cells.

Abstract: Multifunctional probes are synthesized in a single step using peptide scaffold-based multifunctional single-attachment-point reagents. To obtain multifunctional probes using the methods of the invention, a substrate (e.g., a nanoparticle, polymer, antibody, protein, low molecular weight compound, drug, etc.) is reacted with a multifunctional single-attachment-point (MSAP) reagent. The MSAP reagents can include three components: (i) a peptide scaffold, (ii) a single chemically reactive group on the peptide scaffold for reaction of the MSAP with a substrate having a complementary reactive group, and (iii) multiple functional groups on the peptide scaffold. The peptide scaffold can include any number of residues; however, for ease of synthesis and reproducibility in clinical trials, it is preferred to limit the residues in the peptide to 20 or less.