Abstract: This invention defines gated silica nanoparticles into which chemical cargo materials or substances are embedded and of which surfaces are coated with biologically active gating molecules and apparatus employing such silica nanoparticles. The invention and the apparatus employing the invention have the potential to be used in diverse fields such as health, food and textiles. Furthermore, the applicability of the invention and the apparatus defined in this document is not limited to the above fields and can be extended to many other sectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing single step assays for the determination of the presence or absence of an analyte in a liquid sample, on a solid surface. The method disclosed, comprise an aptamer coated and signal molecule loaded porous silica particles immobilized on a porous solid material. Specific interaction of the analyte with the aptamers coated on the silica beads, cause release of the signal molecules which result in a detectable signal on the solid support. Also provided are assay devices for the detection platform.