Abstract: Systems and methods are described in which proteins are isolated from complex solution using successive chromatographic separations that retain the protein of interest in the flow-through. At least one of the chromatography media used is selected to be capable of interacting with both contaminants and the protein of interest, however capacity of this media is selected such that the protein of interest is displaced and remains in the flow-through.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for extracting mycotoxins or aflatoxins from a food sample. The methods using the composition to detect and analyze the aflatoxins are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing Raman-active nanoparticles, which includes a) preparing a metal nanocore having a nano-star shape from a first reaction solution in which a first metal precursor is mixed with a buffer solution; b) fixing a Raman reporter in the metal nanocore; and c) forming a metal shell, which surrounds the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, from a second reaction solution in which a second metal precursor is mixed with the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed. The Raman reporter has a binding affinity for each of a first metal of the metal nanocore and a second metal of the metal shell.

Abstract: Analyzing samples injected into an inductively coupled plasma source can be improved by one or more of a stabilizing solution mixable with a sample prior to injection and a heated injector. The stabilizing solution can minimize the difference in osmotic pressure between the solution and the cells with a relatively low amount of dissolved solids (e.g., at or below about 0.2%). The stabilizing solution can contain a salt (e.g., ammonium nitrate) present in concentrations of at least 5 mM. The injector can be heated before and/or during injection. In some cases, heat from adjacent parts can be channeled into the injector to improve heating of the injector. An injector heated to sufficient temperatures can minimize solute buildup and can extend the usable time between cleanings. These improvements can be especially useful in elemental analysis, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

Abstract: A sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) that may be implanted within a living animal (e.g., a human) and may be used to measure an analyte (e.g., glucose or oxygen) in a medium (e.g., interstitial fluid, blood, or intraperitoneal fluid) within the animal. The sensor may include a sensor substrate, electrode or housing, an analyte indicator covering at least a portion of the sensor, and one or more probes that identify degradative species in an environment of the sensor.

Abstract: Provided are fluorescent microparticles and/or nanoparticles that have a polymeric matrix and at least one porphyrinic macrocycle associated therewith. The porphyrinic macrocycles associated with the presently disclosed fluorescent microparticles and/or nanoparticles are in some embodiments selected from the group consisting of porphyrins (including 17,18-didehydrophorbines), chlorins (including phorbines), bacteriochlorins (including bacteriophorbines), and isobacteriochlorins (including isobacteriochlorins containing a fused “E” ring). In some embodiments, the porphyrinic macrocycles have structures selected from Formulas I and H.

Abstract: A method for measuring interactions between labeled particles and ligands comprising the steps: a) providing a sample comprising labeled particles and ligands in a solution, wherein the labeled particles are dissolved or dispersed in the solution or are immobilized on a solid support; b) exciting fluorescently the labeled particles and detecting the fluorescence of the excited particles at a predetermined temperature; c) repeating steps (a) and (b) multiple times at different concentrations of the ligands in the solution; and d) determining the interaction between the labeled particles and the ligands based on the ligand concentration dependent change of the fluorescence of the labeled particles, wherein the labeled particles are labeled with one or more dyes.

Abstract: The present disclosure features compositions and methods related to the detection and molecular profiling of extracellular vesicles using fluorescent probes. These compositions and methods leverage the unique optoelectrical properties of quantum dots and fluorescently labeled nanoparticles, which allows reliable, real-time detection of extracellular vesicles and vesicle surface bound or lumenal molecules.

Abstract: Methods for producing high concentration protein formulations having high stability are provided. Assays for selecting proteins and formulation conditions that have high self-repulsive attributes are used as an early step in the manufacturing process. Specifically, a protein concentration-dependent self-interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy method is employed as a protein colloidal interaction assay.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to acetaminophen protein adducts and methods of diagnosing acetaminophen toxicity using the acetaminophen protein adducts.

Abstract: A method for detecting biomaterial by means of a dye having a linear upconversion fluorescent property is provided. The method includes the steps of: i) preparing a fluorophore having a linear upconversion fluorescent property; ii) reacting the fluorophore and biomaterial to obtain a reaction complex thereof; iii) exciting the reaction complex by means of a light source having a longer wavelength than the maximum light-emitting wavelength of the fluorophore; and iv) detecting and measuring the light-emitting signal having a shorter wavelength than the wavelength of the excited light emitted from the excited reaction complex. A system and a kit for detecting biomaterial using a dye having a linear upconversion fluorescent property are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for ranking aliquots from a suspension containing bioparticles. In certain embodiments, the bioparticles may be cells, organelles, proteins, DNAs, debris of biological origin, microbeads coated with biological compounds, or viral particles. As such, the methods and apparatuses provided herein may be used to quantify rare cells such as circulating cancer cells, fetal cells and other rare cells present in bodily fluids for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

Abstract: A time-resolved fluorescence kit for synchronously detecting 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin includes an immunochromatography time-resolved fluorescence test strip and a sample reaction bottle containing europium-labeled anti-4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, anti-aflatoxin B1 and anti-sterigmatocystin monoclonal antibodies, where a water absorption pad, a detection pad and a sample pad are sequentially disposed on one side of the immunochromatography time-resolved fluorescence test strip from top to bottom, adjacent pads are connected in an overlapping manner at a joint, the detection pad uses a nitrocellulose membrane as a base pad, a quality control line and detection lines are transversely arranged on the nitrocellulose membrane from top to bottom, the quality control line is coated with a rabbit antimouse polyclonal antibody, and the three detection lines each are coated with a toxin-protein conjugate.

Abstract: Described herein is cancer biomarker, e.g., a vesicle, capture surface that includes a substrate, a first plurality of nanoparticles attached to the substrate; a plurality of bifunctional tethers, wherein a first functionality of the bifunctional tethers is attached to at least a portion of the first plurality of nanoparticles; a second plurality of nanoparticles attached to a second functionality of at least a portion of the plurality of bifunctional tethers; a capture agent attached to at least a portion of the second plurality of nanoparticles; and a plurality of polymer brush molecules attached to the surface, wherein the polymer brush molecules have a lower molecular weight than the bifunctional tethers, and wherein the polymer brush molecules reduce nonspecific binding to the surface. Also described are method of capturing cancer biomarkers such as vesicles from a liquid biopsy sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificially synthesized modified mono-methylated lysines and modified mono-methylated lysine derivatized polypeptides. The present invention also relates to production of a completely new antibody by using this modified mono-methylated lysine and modified mono-methylated lysine derivatized polypeptide as an antigen, this antibody can be used in recognizing and enriching the modified polypeptide after the lysine mono-methylated polypeptide being derivatized in vitro. By using this antibody, it is capable of detecting whether a mono-methylation modification is present in amino acids on the polypeptide sequence, the present invention also relates to a preparation method of said antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing a cell on a support, the method comprising a) providing a compound or salt thereof comprising, preferably consisting of, one or more hydrophobic domains attached to a hydrophilic domain, wherein the one or more hydrophobic domains are covalently bound to said hydrophilic domain, and wherein the one or more hydrophobic domains each comprise a linear lipid, a steroid or a hydrophobic vitamin, and wherein the hydrophilic domain comprises a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, and wherein the compound comprises a linking group; b) contacting a cell with the compound under conditions allowing the interaction of the compound with the membrane of the cell, thereby immobilizing the linking group on the surface of the cell; and c) contacting the linking group immobilized on the cell with a support capable of binding the linking group, thereby immobilizing the cell on the support.

Abstract: The present invention inter alia provides a method, and use thereof, of predicting CV complications such as AMI, ACS, stroke, and CV death by determining the concentrations of at least one ceramide of Group A and at least one ceramide of Group B in a biological sample and comparing those concentrations to a control. Finding a decreased concentration of at least one Group A ceramide and an increased concentration of at least one Group B ceramide indicates that the subject has an increased risk of developing one or more CV complications. Also provided are a newly identified subset of ceramide molecules, labelled versions thereof, and kits and compositions comprising the same for use in predicting and/or diagnosing CV complications.

Abstract: Provided herein is a compound of formula I: and the use thereof for detecting the presence of hydrogen sulfide in cells or tissues in vitro or in vivo. The detecting may be useful, for example, in diagnosing cancer or other diseases related to imbalanced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production such as neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for photoaffinity labeling of molecular targets. In particular, probes that specifically interact with cellular targets based on their affinity and are then covalently linked to the cellular target via a photoreactive group (PRG) on the probe.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor for the detection of analytes, in particular for the detection of biomolecules. The sensor includes a (bio)compatible sensing layer including a polymer matrix or gel matrix, particularly a polymer gel matrix, organic nanoparticles and, optionally, one or several cell adhesion layer(s). The cell adhesion layer(s) can be varied depending on the type of cells. In the presence of the analytes, the organic nanoparticles are capable of photon up-conversion emission. The sensor further optionally includes plasmonic metal nanoparticles. The present disclosure further relates to methods of producing such a sensor and to uses of such a sensor.