Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide: methods of imaging the location and survival of an engineered cell in a host (e.g., human) with an imaging reporter probe, methods of imaging the location and survival of an engineered cell in a host, and, kits, engineered cells, and methods of making the engineered cells, and the like.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) systems, methods of detecting a protein-protein interaction, noninvasive methods for detecting the interaction of a first protein with a second protein within a living animal, methods to determine the efficacy of a test compound administered to modulate the interaction of a first protein with a second protein in a living animal, BRET vectors, kits relating to each of the above, transgenic cell or progeny thereof and/or animals relating to each of the above, and the like.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include phosphorylation sensing systems, methods of detecting phosphorylation, noninvasive methods for detecting the interaction of a first protein with a second protein within a living animal, fusion proteins including the phosphorylation sensing system, vectors including the phosphorylation sensing system, kits including the phosphorylation sensing system, transgenic cells including the phosphorylation sensing system, and the like are provided.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of producing ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of using ligand-regulable transactivation systems, reporter polynucleotides, method of producing reporter polynucleotides, activator fusion proteins, methods of producing activator fusion proteins, methods of regulating gene expression in vitro and in vivo for gene therapy, methods of screening estrogen receptor modulators with therapeutic treatments (e.g., anticancer, antiosteoporosis, and hormone replacement treatments), method of screening compounds (e.g., drugs and environmental pollutants) for the estrogenic effect, methods of evaluating the estrogen receptor pathway under different pathological conditions are provided, and the like.

Abstract: Methods of imaging a living host using Raman nanoparticles; methods of generating a true image of a living host having been administered Raman nanoparticles; methods of multiplex imaging of a living host using a plurality of Raman nanoparticles; methods of generating multimodality images by combining Raman images with other functional/anatomical images; labeled Raman nanoparticles; and the like, are provided.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is enhanced by contrast agents such as superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO) particles that resemble magnetite particles produced by magnetotactic bacteria. Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 produces positive MRI contrast when generating ultrasmall magnetite particles (10-40 nm diameter). Positive MRI contrast permits clearer distinction from image voids compared to negative contrast. T1-weighted MRI showed that such bacteria increased positive contrast 2.2-fold (p<0.02) in vitro and 2.0-fold (p<0.02) following intratumoral injection in mouse tumor xenografts. Upon intravenous delivery, Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 targeted tumors and generated increased positive MRI contrast in them (1.4-fold; p<0.01). AMB-1 tumor targeting was shown by viable counts, microPET imaging of radio-labeled AMB-1, and Prussian blue staining of tumor sections. Thus, magnetotactic bacteria provide a tool for improving cancer diagnosis and monitoring treatment response by MRI.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for photoacoustic probes, methods of determining the presence and location of a specific target, methods of determining the presence and location of an enzyme, methods of determining the presence and location of a specific target and an enzyme, and the like.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of producing ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of using ligand-regulable transactivation systems, reporter polynucleotides, method of producing reporter polynucleotides, activator fusion proteins, methods of producing activator fusion proteins, methods of regulating gene expression in vitro and in vivo for gene therapy, methods of screening estrogen receptor modulators with therapeutic treatments (e.g., anticancer, antiosteoporosis, and hormone replacement treatments), method of screening compounds (e.g., drugs and environmental pollutants) for the estrogenic effect, methods of evaluating the estrogen receptor pathway under different pathological conditions are provided, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides contrast photoacoustic probes, and compositions comprising such probes, designed to non-invasively detect and monitor various disease states, or targets within a subject human or animal. The probes are designed to be optically excited in tissue, ultimately generating thermal energy, which is transformed into acoustic energy by the response of the aqueous environment in the subject to the thermal emissions. The acoustic energy (sound) can then be detected by suitably applied transducers and digitally transformed into images indicating the location of the probe in the subject. One aspect of the disclosure encompasses photoacoustic probes that comprise: a carbon nanotube and a plurality of dye molecules bound to the carbon nanotube. The probes may further comprise a targeting moiety for localizing the probe at the site of a specific target.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) systems, methods of detecting a protein-protein interaction, noninvasive methods for detecting the interaction of a first protein with a second protein within a living animal, methods to determine the efficacy of a test compound administered to modulate the interaction of a first protein with a second protein in a living animal, BRET vectors, kits relating to each of the above, transgenic cell or progeny thereof and/or animals relating to each of the above, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the methods of the present disclosure allow interpretation of the 18F and 18F-FDG tissue distribution, even though the two radiopharmaceuticals are administered at the same time. This approach is based on the eventual localization of the 18F almost exclusively to the skeletal structures. Another aspect of the disclosure is a computer-based method for overlapping PET and CT scan images obtained after the simultaneous administration of 18F and 18F-FDG, thereby proving improved clarity and detection of malignancies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of studying (e.g., detecting, localizing, and/or quantifying) biomarker(s) and the like.

Abstract: Engineered peptides that bind with high affinity (low equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd)) to the cell surface receptors of fibronectin (?5?1) or vitronectin (?v?3 and ?v?5 integrins) are disclosed. These peptides are based on a molecular scaffold into which a subsequence containing the RGD integrin-binding motif has been inserted. The subsequence (RGD mimic) comprises about 9-13 amino acids, and the RGD contained within the subsequence can be flanked by a variety of amino acids, the sequence of which was determined by sequential rounds of selection (in vitro evolution). The molecular scaffold is preferably based on a knottin, e.g., EETI (Trypsin inhibitor 2 (Trypsin inhibitor II) (EETI-II) [Ecballium elaterium (Jumping cucumber)], AgRP (Agouti-related protein), and Agatoxin IVB, which peptides have a rigidly defined three-dimensional conformation. It is demonstrated that EETI tolerates mutations in other loops and that the present peptides may be used as imaging agents.

Abstract: Activity-based probes, which are specific for certain active cysteine proteases (caspase, cathepsin and legumain) and carry radioactive labels, are disclosed. The present probes comprise an acyloxymethyketone (AOMK) “warhead” that binds only to active enzyme. The probes further comprise peptide-like structure that targets the probe to a specific cysteine protease or protease family, and a radiolabel on the probe, which is bound to the targeted enzyme. It has been found that the present probes are stable in vivo and give specific target images distinguishable over background. The preferred probes are labeled with a positron-emitting agent such as 64Cu, 125I (SPECT) and 99mTc (PET). The probes show in vivo half-life and stability well suited for imaging.

Abstract: An composition in a method for noninvasively monitoring the expression of therapeutic transgene delivered ex vivo and in vivo for the treatment of diseases includes the step of quantitatively imaging a reporter gene expression which is coupled to a therapeutic gene on a plasmid vector to infer levels, location, or duration of the therapeutic gene expression in the targeted tissues or organs. The reporter gene is imaged using a radiopharmaceutical for scintigraphic imaging of the gene expression interactions with the reporter gene, namely positron emission tomography, gamma camera or single-photon emission computed tomography. The genes are delivered with a liposome encapsulated reporter-therapeutic linked transgene vector with balanced reporter/therapeutic transgene expression. A transgene composition includes the reporter gene linked to the therapeutic gene or genes incorporated in and delivered by a liposome encapsulated reporter-therapeutic linked transgene vector.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include polynucleotides that encode mutant Cnidarian luciferases that exhibit modulated properties as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferases, and the modulated properties include at least one of: modulated stability; enhanced light output; and modulated emission maximum. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include polypeptides or fragments thereof encoded by the polynucleotides, constructs including the polynucleotide, expression cassettes, cells, methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides, antibodies, transgenic cells and/or animals, kits, and the like.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) systems, methods of detecting a protein-protein interaction, noninvasive methods for detecting the interaction of a first protein with a second protein within a living animal, methods to determine the efficacy of a test compound administered to modulate the interaction of a first protein with a second protein in a living animal, BRET vectors, kits relating to each of the above, transgenic cell or progeny thereof and/or animals relating to each of the above, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for: compositions, BRET systems, kits, and the like.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include estrogen receptor (ER) intramolecular folding systems, methods of detecting ER ligands and distinguishing between ER agonists and antagonists, cells including ER intramolecular folding systems, transgenic animals including ER intramolecular folding systems, fusion proteins, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for: methods for imaging MMP-2 positive tissue; methods of diagnosing the presence of one or more of MMP-2 positive precancerous cells, MMP-2 positive cancerous cells, MMP-2 positive tumor cells, and MMP-2 positive diseases in a tissue; method of monitoring the progress of one or more of MMP-2 positive precancerous cells, MMP-2 positive cancerous cells, MMP-2 positive tumor cells, and MMP-2 positive diseases in a tissue; pharmaceutical compositions for imaging one or more of MMP-2 positive precancerous cells, MMP-2 positive cancerous cells, MMP-2 positive tumor cells, and MMP-2 positive diseases; compositions; kits; and the like.