Abstract: An adipocyte-targeting DNA nanodrug, and preparation and uses thereof. The drug is composed of an adipocyte-targeting DNA microstructure and tannic acid (TA) in a weight ratio of 1:25-30. Among them, the small molecular antioxidant TA is loaded into the DNA microstructure. The DNA microstructure incorporated with an adipocyte-targeting aptamer sequence can specifically recognize and bind with adipocytes. TA and DNA microstructure can interact with each other through multiple hydrogen bonds to form the adipocyte-targeting, safe and efficient DNA nanodrug.

Abstract: The lack of blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrating ability has hindered the delivery of many therapeutic agents for tauopathy therapeutic treatment. A circular bifunctional aptamer reported here has been able to enhance the in vivo BBB penetration for improved therapy. The circular aptamer includes one transferrin receptor (TfR) aptamer to facilitate TfR-aptamer recognition-induced transcytosis across BBB endothelial cells, and one Tau protein aptamer selected to inhibit Tau phosphorylation and other tauopathy-related pathological events in the brain. This bispecific construct exhibits strong specificity towards Tau and enhanced plasma stability in comparison to linear Tau aptamer. In vivo administration of circular Tau-TfR aptamer results in a rapid uptake into relevant brain regions after crossing the BBB, such as hippocampus and cortex.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions for determining the level of antithrombin (ATIII) in a sample are described. Methods of forming the compounds and compositions are also described. Methods of using the compounds and compositions to quantify the level of ATIII in a subject are further described. The methods can be used to facilitate determining a dosage or heparin or ATIII to administer to a patient.

Abstract: An adipocyte-targeting DNA nanodrug, and preparation and uses thereof. The drug is composed of an adipocyte-targeting DNA microstructure and tannic acid (TA) in a weight ratio of 1:25-30. Among them, the small molecular antioxidant TA is loaded into the DNA microstructure. The DNA microstructure incorporated with an adipocyte-targeting aptamer sequence can specifically recognize and bind with adipocytes. TA and DNA microstructure can interact with each other through multiple hydrogen bonds to form the adipocyte-targeting, safe and efficient DNA nanodrug.

Abstract: DNA aptamers that bind to tau protein at its phosphorylatable sites are identified. These disclosed DNA aptamers not only recognize tau at specific phosphorylatable sites, but also demonstrate inhibitory effects on phosphorylation and oligomer formation of tau protein. Molecular probes based on these disclosed DNA aptamers can be used as capture or detection agents to detect the levels of tau and phosphor-tau in cerebrospinal fluid as well as for cell-based or in vivo brain imaging in live animals or human. Compositions comprising these disclosed DNA aptamers can be used to arrest or treat the progression of tauopathy associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: DNA aptamers that bind to tau protein at its phosphorylatable sites are identified. These disclosed DNA aptamers not only recognize tau at specific phosphorylatable sites, but also demonstrate inhibitory effects on phosphorylation and oligomer formation of tau protein. Molecular probes based on these disclosed DNA aptamers can be used as capture or detection agents to detect the levels of tau and phosphor-tau in cerebrospinal fluid as well as for cell-based or in vivo brain imaging in live animals or human. Compositions comprising these disclosed DNA aptamers can be used to arrest or treat the progression of tauopathy associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to devices and methods of isolating target cells from a population of cells. The devices comprise of one or more microfluidic channels and scaffolding particles conjugated with one or more ligands that bind to the target cells. The scaffolding particles with one or more ligands are attached on to the surface of the one or more microfluidic channels. The methods of the current invention comprise passing the population of cells through the microfluidic channels of the devices of the current invention to facilitate interaction and capture of the target cells by the scaffolding particles-ligand conjugates, washing the device by a washing solution to remove the cells non-specifically bound to the scaffolding particle-ligand conjugates, releasing the captured target cells from the scaffolding particle-ligand conjugates, and collecting the released target cells.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide-based molecular probe includes at least one pin loop, the pin loop including a loop sequence complementary to a target sequence. A first stem sequence is attached to one end of the pin loop, the first stem having at least one fluorescent label attached thereto. A second stem sequence is attached to the other end of the pin loop. The second stem has a plurality of quencher molecules attached thereto.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel devices and methods for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples.

Abstract: A novel hydrogel delivery systems useful for encapsulating and releasing pharmaceuticals or chemicals is disclosed where water soluble polymers containing crosslinker repeating units that associate or dissociate with complementary crosslinking repeating units or separate linkers to reversibly crosslink the hydrogel. In an exemplary embodiment, a DNA crosslinked hydrogel displays photoreversibility. An exemplary hydrogel delivery system comprises DNA polymer conjugates, wherein complementary DNA sequences are crosslinked with polymer chains and hybridization of the DNA sequences is controlled by photoresponsive moieties. Such hydrogels can be used to release drug molecules and/or other therapeutic reagents. The exemplary hydrogel employs photosensitive azobenzene moieties that are incorporated into the DNA crosslinker units. The azobenzene moieties respond to different wavelengths of light so that the state of azobenzene isomerization is induced by the proportion of visible and UV light irradiated.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel devices and methods for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple-luminophore silica nanoparticles for multiplexed signaling in bioanalysis. In specific embodiments, two inorganic luminophores, Tris(2,2?-bipyridyl)osmium(II) bis(hexafluorophosphate) (OsBpy) and Tris(2,2?-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) hexahydrate (RuBpy), or three organic luminophores 5-Fluorescein isothiocyanate (5-FITC), 5-carboxyrhodamine 6G, succinimidyl ester (5-CR6G, SE), 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine, succinimidyl ester (6-ROX, SE) can be simultaneously entrapped inside silica nanoparticles at controlled ratios, with desirable sizes and required surface functionality. Single-wavelength excitation with multiple emission endows the nanoparticles with optical encoding capability for rapid and high-throughput multiplexed detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides homogenous populations of micelles, methods for preparing these populations, methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder using the population of micelles of the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel devices and methods for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples.

Abstract: In this invention, a biomarker discovery method has been developed using specific biotin-labeled oligonucleotide ligands and magnetic streptavidin beads. In one embodiment, the oligonucleotide ligands are firstly generated by whole-cell based SELEX technique. Such ligands can recognize target cells with high affinity and specificity and can distinguish cells that are closely related to target cells even in patient samples. The targets of these oligonucleotide ligands are significant biomarkers for certain cells. These important biomarkers can be captured by forming complexes with biotin-labeled oligonucleotide ligands and collecting the complexes using magnetic streptavidin beads, whereupon the captured biomarkers are analyzed to identify the biomarkers. Analysis of biomarkers include HPLC-Mass Spectroscopy analysis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and the like. The identified biomarkers can be used for pathological diagnosis and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide-based molecular probe includes at least one pin loop, the pin loop including a loop sequence complementary to a target sequence. A first stem sequence is attached to one end of the pin loop, the first stem having at least one fluorescent label attached thereto. A second stem sequence is attached to the other end of the pin loop. The second stem has a plurality of quencher molecules attached thereto.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel devices and methods for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples.

Abstract: A new aptamer approach for the recognition of specific small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell surface molecular markers relies on cell-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX) to evolve aptamers for whole live cells that express a variety of surface markers representing molecular differences among cancer cells. When applied to different lung cancer cells including those from patient samples, these aptamers bind to SCLC cells with high affinity and specificity in different assay formats. When conjugated with magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles, the aptamer nano-conjugates could effectively extract SCLC cells from mixed cell media for isolation, enrichment, and sensitive detection.

Abstract: We report the real-time monitoring of protein-protein interactions without labeling either of the two interacting proteins, posing minimum effects on the binding properties of the proteins. In particular, the methods provide protein/aptamer complexes to probe the interactions in a competitive assay where the binding of an aptamer to its target protein is altered by a second protein that interacts with the target protein. Two signal transduction strategies, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence anisotropy, are described.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a substance, in particular RNA in vivo, comprising a hybrid molecular probe, said probe comprising two single-stranded nucleic acid sequences tethered together with a polyethylene glycol polymer and fluorophores attached to either end of the sequences. When a probe of the invention hybridizes to a target substance (such as a target RKA sequence), fluorescence resonance energy transfer occurs between the two fluorophores to generate a visible signal.