Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a target species using a semiconductor nanosensor are generally described.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent detection system, kits and microfluidics devices containing same, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and devices for the isolation of biological agents that are infused in a solution causing those agents to float. These systems and devices have numerous research, diagnostic, clinical, consumer, and other applications. An aspect of the disclosure provides for an apparatus for isolation or enrichment of biological agents from a sample comprising: a sample container comprising an inner volume to hold a sample and a plurality of micro bubbles, a tapered end and an open end, a plunger inserted into the open end and a tip of the tapered end forming an acute angle relative to the horizontal axis of the sample container, wherein the plurality of micro bubbles float one or more biological agents of the sample and wherein the plunger moves towards the tip to isolate or enrich the one or more biological agents from the sample.

Abstract: A device for detecting target biomolecules is provided. The device consists of an electrically conductive membrane having a biological recognition component configured to bind a target biomolecule immobilized thereon. The membrane is connected to an electric circuit by means of electrodes. A voltage source applies a voltage to the membrane and a resistance monitoring device monitors the resistance of the membrane as a selected volume of fluid sample suspected of containing the target biomolecule is delivered onto the membrane.

Abstract: A biological test strip with isolation structure includes a substrate having a testing portion and a measuring portion; an electrode disposed on the substrate and including an operation electrode and an auxiliary electrode, the operation electrode having a first operating end and a first reading end, the auxiliary electrode having a second operating end and a second reading end; a first flow confining member surrounding the first operating end; and a second flow confining member surrounding the first flow confining member and the second operating end, with a height of the second flow confining member larger than a height of the first flow confining member. Therefore, the flowing scope of the dropped liquid is confined, so as to fix the square measure of the dropped liquid contacting the electrode and thereby improve the analysis repeatability.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to both a method and apparatus for the creation of full resolution color digital images of diagnostic cassettes or objects of interest using a gray-scale digital camera or sensor combined with time sequential illumination using additive primary colors followed by post exposure digital processing. Such procedures and equipment is of significant economic value when employed in situations such as diagnostic clinical analyzers where space is limited and image quality requirements are high.

Abstract: Plasmonic nanotransducers, methods of preparing plasmonic nanotransducers, and methods for label-free detection of target molecules are disclosed. The plasmonic nanotransducers include hollow nanostructure cores and artificial antibodies. The plasmonic nanotransducers are exposed to a biological sample that can contain the specific target molecules. The plasmonic nanotransducers can be analyzed with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the target molecule in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for observing a sample under optical microscopy, in incoherent, unpolarised light, using a sample substrate including a contrast-amplifying layer having a complex index of refraction. The invention also relates to a method for detecting or metering at least one chemical or biological species using such a sample substrate.

Abstract: A test device (80) for testing for the presence of a substance in a sample held on a sample carrier (30) includes a holder (82) for holding a sample carrier (30) which includes one or more chambers (50,52). The test device (80) also includes an actuator for compressing or depressurizing the chamber(s) (50,52). The actuator is configured to prevent reinflation of the chamber(s) (50,52) after compression or depressurization.

Abstract: Provided herein is an optical biosensor for detecting a target bioanalyte in a sample. The biosensor includes: a porous silicon or alumina substrate having a surface and a detection agent immobilised on the surface. The detection agent includes a sensing domain and a signaling domain, the sensing domain having a linker capable of interacting with the target bioanalyte and the signaling domain having a luminescence donor and a luminescence acceptor wherein the luminescence donor and the luminescence acceptor are connected by the linker and are optically coupled in the absence of the target bioanalyte. Emission of light from the luminescence donor is substantially quenched by the luminescence acceptor, and interaction of the target bioanalyte with the linker results in optical un-coupling of the luminescence donor and the luminescence acceptor to thereby result in light emission from the luminescence donor.

Abstract: Labelled silica nanoparticles for immunochromatographic reagent, comprising silica nanoparticles containing a labelled substance.

Abstract: A nanofluidic biosensor system (200) comprising a bottom substrate (120) and a top substrate (110) between which are defined an input lateral aperture (210), a nanoslit (230) which contains at least one functionalized area (231) and an output lateral aperture (220) or an internal reservoir (221), said biosensor system (200) being adapted to let a solution containing biomolecules (320) enter the input lateral aperture (210) and successively pass through said nanoslit (230) and said output lateral aperture (220) or internal reservoir (221); said biosensor system (200) furthermore comprising a gas evacuation subsystem (150-155) which is located between said nanoslit (230) and the biosensor external environment.

Abstract: Biosensor components (chips) are described based on direct biocoating processes that result in the tenacious and stable, noncovalent (believed to be chemisorptive) binding of anchor substances such as avidin(s) other proteins having specific binding partners or oligo- or poly-nucleotides onto any piezo-electrically active crystal surface. The resulting platform technology can be developed for a variety of biosensors with specific applications in biological assays. The table mono layers of the anchor substances forms reactive layers, ready to bind a capture reagent such as a biot-inylated antibody for capture and detection of analytes in biologic fluid samples.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for controlling the self-assembly process of paramagnetic particles and the final particle cluster size using a liquid-liquid interface. The number of paramagnetic particles within a particle cluster and coating at the liquid-liquid interface may be controlled by systematically varying the strength of an applied magnetic field gradient and the interfacial tension of the liquid-liquid interface.

Abstract: A recessed portion and a protruding portion arranged periodically are formed on a base portion. In the recessed portion, an antibody that binds to an antigen existing on a surface of each exosome to be detected is immobilized and then caused to bind to the exosomes. The width of the protruding portion is smaller than the average particle diameter of the exosomes.

Abstract: Techniques for enhanced fluorescence include a functionalized substrate for a target optical frequency comprising a one dimensional photonic crystal that is functionalized with a bioactive target molecule that has an affinity for a particular analytic. The one dimensional photonic crystal includes a plurality of dielectric layers including a plurality of high index of refraction layers alternating with a plurality of low index of refraction layers. The thickness of each layer is within a factor of four of a wavelength of the optical frequency in the layer. For emissions from a fluorophore bound to the target molecule and excited by incident light, there is an emission intensity maximum centered at an angle independent of the direction of the incident light.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured gold films which may be produced by solution-phase depositions of gold ions onto a variety of surfaces. The resulting plasmonic gold films are used for enhanced spectroscopic-based immunoassays in multiplexed microarray format with detection mechanisms based on either surface-enhanced Raman scattering or near-infrared fluorescence enhancement. The preparation of the films and subsequent modifications of the gold film surfaces afford increased sensitivity for various microarrays. The films are discontinuous, forming gold “islands.” Sensitivity, size, shape, and density of the nanoscopic gold islands comprising the discontinuous nanostructured gold film are controlled to enhance the intensity of Raman scattering and fluorescence in the near-infrared, allowing for improved measurements in clinical diagnostic or biomedical research applications.

Abstract: Natural and/or synthetic antibodies for specific proteins are adhered to nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are adhered to a substrate and the substrate is exposed to a sample that may contain the specific proteins. The substrates are then tested with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the specific protein in the sample.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting specific target-cells in a simple and time saving way, using paramagnetic particles, antibodies recognizing the Fc portions of target-cell associating antibodies and target-cell associating antibodies directed to specific antigen determinants in the target-cell membranes. Incubation of the cell suspension with a mild detergent and/or second set of antibodies or antibody fragments, prelabeled or not with fluorescent agents, metallocolloids, radioisotopes, biotincomplexes or certain enzymes allowing visualization, with dramatically increase the specificity of the method. The method can further be used for isolation of the target-cells by magnetic field application and kit for performing the method according to the invention is described.