Abstract: Provided are proteins/peptides. The proteins or peptides comprise a sequence designed by the methods described herein. The proteins and peptides may have one or more trifluoroleucine (LTF, which may be referred to as TFL or LTF throughout) residues.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for detecting the presence of, the amount of, or the concentration of a substantially non-emitting metal in a sample by a) providing a sensitizer to a chelator of the substantially non-emitting metal thereby creating a sensitized-metal complex; b) adding an unsensitized chelate, and c) detecting a signal from the unsensitized chelate. The substantially non-emitting metal may be gadoliniumn and may exist in complex with a chelator. The unsensitized chelate may be terbium (Tb) or europium (Eu) and the detecting a signal may be performed by fluorescence.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for detecting the presence of, the amount of, or the concentration of a substantially non-emitting metal in a sample by a) providing a sensitizer to a chelator of the substantially non-emitting metal thereby creating a sensitized-metal complex; b) adding an unsensitized chelate, and c) detecting a signal from the unsensitized chelate. The substantially non-emitting metal may be gadoliniumn and may exist in complex with a chelator. The unsensitized chelate may be terbium (Tb) or europium (Eu) and the detecting a signal may be performed by fluorescence.

Abstract: Provided are protein polymers providing the dual functionality of delivery and imaging. The protein polymers comprise a coiled-coil domain of the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and repeats of elastic like peptides. The coiled-coil domain allows delivery of molecules, the elastin-like peptide domain provides thermo-responsive functionality, and a plurality of leucine residues, which can be fluorinated, provide imaging functionality.

Abstract: Provided are protein polymers providing the dual functionality of delivery and imaging. The protein polymers comprise a coiled-coil domain of the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and repeats of elastic like peptides. The coiled-coil domain allows delivery of molecules, the elastin-like peptide domain provides thermo-responsive functionality, and a plurality of leucine residues, which can be fluorinated, provide imaging functionality.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for detecting the presence of, the amount of or the concentration of a substantially non-emitting metal in a sample by a) providing a sensitizer to a chelator of the substantially non-emitting metal thereby creating a sensitized-metal complex; b) adding an unsensitized chelate, and c) detecting a signal from the unsensitized chelate. The substantially non-emitting metal may be gadolinium and may exist in complex with a chelator. The unsensitized chelate may be terbium (Tb) or europium (Eu), and the detecting a signal may be performed by fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a multivalent product including a nanoparticle with a metal, metal alloy, or metal oxide core, a plurality of non-polymerizing ligands bound to the nanoparticle, and a plurality of paramagnetic ions coupled to the nanoparticle by the ligands. Methods of making and using the multivalent product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a multivalent product including a nanoparticle with a metal, metal alloy, or metal oxide core, a plurality of non-polymerizing ligands bound to the nanoparticle, and a plurality of paramagnetic ions coupled to the nanoparticle by the ligands. Methods of making and using the multivalent product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. A labeled A&bgr; peptide or its derivative is injected into the patient to be diagnosed, after which the patient is subjected to magnetic resonance imaging. Both pre-amyloid and amyloid plaques can be detected using this method.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. A labeled A&bgr; peptide or its derivative is injected into the patient to be diagnosed, after which the patient is subjected to magnetic resonance imaging. Both pre-amyloid and amyloid plaques can be detected using this method.