Abstract: Surface Enhanced Spectroscopy-Active Composite Nanoparticles (SACN) comprising: core/shell nanoparticles comprising nanoparticle cores covered with shells, wherein the cores and the shells may comprise the same or different materials; at least one Raman-active reporter molecule associated with said core/shell nanoparticle; and an SiO2 encapsulant which encapsulates the core/shell nanoparticle and the at least one Raman-active reporter molecule, are described.

Abstract: An inline spectroscopic reader having a light source, one or more optics heads, a spectrometer and a data processing system in digital communication with the spectrometer detector. The optics heads include transmission optics providing for the illumination of a target with light from the light source and detection optics providing for the collection of light from the target. Typically, the target is moving with respect to the optics head during spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic reader is thus an inline reader well suited to provide spectrum based production or analytical decision making in real time as the target moves along a production or analysis line. Also disclosed are methods including the steps of illuminating a target with light from a light source; collecting light from the target; obtaining a digitized spectrum with a spectrometer; extracting information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing a contemporaneous process decision upon the information content.

Abstract: A system to selectively deliver relatively small analyte molecules of interest to a SERS-active nanoparticle surface while excluding dozens to hundreds of other species in the environment. In particular, the present invention provides a permselective film that renders the particles of interest as viable small molecule optically addressable sensors.

Abstract: An encapsulated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tag. The tag includes a metal core and an encapsulant, typically a glass encapsulant. The encapsulant is further derivatized with a polymer.

Abstract: A lateral flow immunoassay featuring encapsulated metal particles. The encapsulated particles may use SERS nanotags as the detection modality. The use of encapsulated particles as a detection modality, in particular encapsulated SERS tags increases the sensitivity of an LFI prepared for visual reading and introduces the ability to obtain substantially more sensitive qualitative results or quantitative results through the analysis of a SERS spectrum read from an LFI prepared in accordance with the present invention. The use of SERS as detection modality also enhances the ability of an LFI device to be used for a multiplexed test. Other aspects of the present invention include LFI devices specifically configured to test whole blood, a reader for the detection and interpretation of a multiplexed assay and the hardware and software components used to implement the reader.

Abstract: Wavelength selective particles such as SERS nanotags modified for wavelength selectivity. As used herein, a wavelength selective particle is one which cannot be effectively excited or interrogated at one or more wavelengths where a reporter molecule associated with the particle would normally produce a spectrum. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing wavelength selective particles and methods of tagging materials or objects with wavelength selective particles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the use of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering nanotags (SERS nanotags) to create homogeneous (no-wash), heterogeneous or sequence detection assay platforms. In certain embodiments the SERS nanotags are used in combination with magnetic particles. Multiplexed assay platforms are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the assay is useful for clinical proteomics. Assay platforms suitable for use within a biological matrix, for example within whole blood or serum are also disclosed. The assay formats described herein may be used to detect any analyte of interest including but not limited to the detection of cells, viruses, bacteria, proteins, DNA, RNA, or small molecules in any type of biological (animal or plant kingdom) or environmental samples including but not limited to whole blood or serum, occult samples, urine, feces, air, drinking water, phage, any organism, multicellular clumps of cells, for example, cancer tissue homogenate.

Abstract: An optically active particle and a method of manufacturing said particles, plus methods of tagging a material of interest with said particles are disclosed. The particle comprises a surface-enhanced spectroscopy (SES) active core and a SES active reporter associated with the SES core wherein the particle produces a measurable and thermally stable SES spectrum upon optical interrogation. As used in the disclosure, thermally stable may be defined as maintaining a measurable SES spectrum after the particle or any material tagged with the particle has been exposed to a temperature substantially higher than room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments include a particle comprising a surface enhanced spectroscopy (SES)-active core and a SES-active reporter molecule associated with the SES-active core wherein said particle has a measurable SES spectrum when excited by incident light having a wavelength of at least 1400 nm. Alternative embodiments include methods of manufacturing said particle and methods of tagging a material with said particle. The particle may include an SES-active core which supports plasmon resonance at a wavelength of at least 1400 nm. The particle may comprise an anisotropic core. The particle may include an SES-active reporter molecule which is resonant at one or more wavelengths greater than or equal to 1400 nm.

Abstract: Embodiments include types of programmable surface-enhanced spectroscopy (SES) particles (PSPs), including PSP 200 having a SES-active surface 202 and a programmable reporter 206 associated with the SES surface 202 and methods of fabricating and using same. The programmable reporter 206 provides that the PSP 200 will return a controlled but variable signal in response to spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic signal can be triggered to change externally or the signal may naturally vary over time.

Abstract: A method of detecting melamine which includes providing a quantity of SERS-active particles and mixing the SERS-active particles with a solution containing melamine. The method further includes detecting a surface enhanced Raman spectrum of the melamine. The foregoing method may optionally include aggregating the SERS-active particles. Aggregation may occur before or after the SERS-active particles are mixed with a solution containing melamine. The method of detecting melamine may optionally include concentration of the SERS-active particles. The method may further include mixing a chaotropic agent having a higher affinity for a selected binding site than melamine into the solution containing melamine. The method may further include mixing a quantity of a SERS-active standard having a known SERS spectrum with the solution containing melamine and SERS-active particles. Assay apparatus and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalytic nanotemplate including a freestanding template particle and a director associated with the surface of the freestanding template particle. The free standing template particle may have multiple segments and the director may be associated with one or more of the segments. In instances where multiple segments are present, the segments may be made of different materials or be of the same material in different forms. More than one type of director or no director may be associated with any particular segment.

Abstract: Submicron-sized particles or labels that can be covalently or non-covalently affixed to entities of interest for the purpose of quantification, location, identification, tracking, and diagnosis, are described.

Abstract: A catalytic nanotemplate including a freestanding template particle and a director associated with the surface of the freestanding template particle. The free standing template particle may have multiple segments and the director may be associated with one or more of the segments. In instances where multiple segments are present, the segments may be made of different materials or be of the same material in different forms. More than one type of director or no director may be associated with any particular segment.

Abstract: An encapsulated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tag. The tag includes a metal core and an encapsulant, typically a glass encapsulant. The encapsulant is further derivatized with a polymer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of matter are disclosed for creating tags such as SERS nanotags which are dispersible in an organic solvent. The tags are inherently hydrophilic and may be made dispersible in an organic solvent by associating the tag with an amphiphilic polymer. Alternatively, a tag may be associated with a surfactant. In another embodiment a tag having an encapsulant of a silicon containing material may be made dispersible in an organic solvent by modifying the encapsulant surface with a hydrophobic silane. In addition, a tag having an encapsulant of a silicon containing material may be modified by the esterification of the encapsulant with an alcohol.

Abstract: A method of producing a surface enhanced Raman scattering spectrum which is useful for certain types of assays, in particular proximity assays. The method includes providing two SERS-active nanoparticles. The first SERS-active nanoparticle will absorb a photon at a first wavelength and emit a Raman-shifted photon at a second wavelength. The second SERS-active nanoparticle will absorb a photon at the second wavelength and emit a Raman-shifted photon at a third wavelength. Accordingly, when the first and second SERS-active nanoparticles are proximate to one another and the first SERS-active nanoparticle is illuminated at the first wavelength a Raman-shifted photon at the second wavelength may be emitted. This photon can be absorbed by the second SERS-active nanoparticle causing detectable emission of a second Raman-shifted photon at the third wavelength. Various assays may be designed based upon the above.

Abstract: An encapsulated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tag. The tag includes a metal core and an encapsulant, typically a glass encapsulant. The encapsulant is further derivatized with a polymer.

Abstract: An assay and method of assay for optical detection of bioagents, a target nucleic acid or a target protein using a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active biomolecule molecular beacon. The present invention also provides the assay and method in a multiplexed format.

Abstract: A lateral flow immunoassay featuring encapsulated metal particles. The encapsulated particles may use SERS nanotags as the detection modality. The use of encapsulated particles as a detection modality, in particular encapsulated SERS tags increases the sensitivity of an LFI prepared for visual reading and introduces the ability to obtain substantially more sensitive qualitative results or quantitative results through the analysis of a SERS spectrum read from an LFI prepared in accordance with the present invention. The use of SERS as detection modality also enhances the ability of an LFI device to be used for a multiplexed test. Other aspects of the present invention include LFI devices specifically configured to test whole blood, a reader for the detection and interpretation of a multiplexed assay and the hardware and software components used to implement the reader.