Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

Abstract: Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate in the presence of a microsphere. The reaction intermediate covalently attaches to a polymer of the microsphere thereby coupling the dye to the polymer and forming the dyed microsphere. Additional methods are provided for forming a dyed microsphere coupled to a molecule. These methods include dyeing the microspheres as described above in addition to synthesizing the molecule on an outer surface of the dyed microspheres. A population of dyed microspheres is also provided. Each of the dyed microspheres of the population includes a dye attached to a polymer of each of the dyed microspheres by a chemical structure. A coefficient of variation in dye characteristics of the population of dyed microspheres attributable to the dye is less than about 10%.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oxocarbonamide peptide nucleic acids (OxoPNAs). OxoPNAs provide increased stability, sensitivity, and specificity as compared to their natural DNA and RNA counterparts. The OxoPNA molecules of the present invention may be employed in a wide range of applications, particularly in applications involving hybridization. For example, OxoPNA probes may be employed for the detection and functional analysis of nucleic acid molecules, including miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oxocarbonamide peptide nucleic acids (OxoPNAs). OxoPNAs provide increased stability, sensitivity, and specificity as compared to their natural DNA and RNA counterparts. The OxoPNA molecules of the present invention may be employed in a wide range of applications, particularly in applications involving hybridization. For example, OxoPNA probes may be employed for the detection and functional analysis of nucleic acid molecules, including miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved covalent coupling of two or more entities such as biomolecules, polymer compositions, organic/inorganic molecules/materials, and the like, including their combinations, through one or more novel reactive groups attached to linker groups of 2-1000 atoms length. The present invention also contemplates the use of bifunctional bridge molecules to link two or more entities, wherein the functional groups of the bridge molecules are the novel reactive groups of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved covalent coupling of two or more entities such as biomolecules, polymer compositions, organic/inorganic molecules/materials, and the like, including their combinations, through one or more novel reactive groups attached to linker groups of 2-1000 atoms length. The present invention also contemplates the use of bifunctional bridge molecules to link two or more entities, wherein the functional groups of the bridge molecules are the novel reactive groups of the present invention.

Abstract: Various methods for altering surface characteristics of a microsphere are provided. One method includes coupling an enolic acid to the microsphere to modify the surface characteristics of the microsphere. The surface characteristics may include charge density and/or pKa. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid. The reagent may include a biomolecule. The modified surface characteristics may increase a stability of the reagent when the reagent is coupled to the microsphere. The modified surface characteristics may also improve performance of an assay carried out with the microsphere. Another embodiment relates to a microsphere that includes an enolic acid coupled to a polymer core of the microsphere such that the enolic acid modifies surface characteristics of the microsphere. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid.

Abstract: A method for altering fluorescent emissions of particles includes setting the particles in motion and exposing the moving particles to light such that fluorescent intensities of the particles are lessened isotropically and substantially simultaneously. Another method includes measuring fluorescent emissions of particles, determining the measured fluorescent emissions do not collectively fit within a first predetermined range of fluorescent values, and exposing the particles to one or more incidents of light that are configured to cooperatively alter the fluorescent emissions of the particles to be within a second predetermined range of fluorescent values. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a vessel configured to contain a plurality of particles and a means for setting the particles in motion. The apparatus further includes an illumination subsystem configured to direct light toward the vessel and at a spectral window (i.e.

Abstract: Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate in the presence of a microsphere. The reaction intermediate covalently attaches to a polymer of the microsphere thereby coupling the dye to the polymer and forming the dyed microsphere. Additional methods are provided for forming a dyed microsphere coupled to a molecule. These methods include dyeing the microspheres as described above in addition to synthesizing the molecule on an outer surface of the dyed microspheres. A population of dyed microspheres is also provided. Each of the dyed microspheres of the population includes a dye attached to a polymer of each of the dyed microspheres by a chemical structure. A coefficient of variation in dye characteristics of the population of dyed microspheres attributable to the dye is less than about 10%.

Abstract: Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes attaching a hydrophilic dye to chemical groups to form a bubble. The bubble includes the chemical groups surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The method also includes disposing the bubble and a microsphere to be dyed in a solvent such that the bubble is incorporated into the microsphere thereby dyeing the microsphere. Another method includes adsorbing a hydrophilic dye on a surface of a hydrophobic polymer core of a microsphere to be dyed thereby dyeing the microsphere. The method also includes attaching chemical groups to the hydrophilic dye. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The chemical groups attached to the hydrophilic dye form an enclosure surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution.

Abstract: Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate in the presence of a microsphere. The reaction intermediate covalently attaches to a polymer of the microsphere thereby coupling the dye to the polymer and forming the dyed microsphere. Additional methods are provided for forming a dyed microsphere coupled to a molecule. These methods include dyeing the microspheres as described above in addition to synthesizing the molecule on an outer surface of the dyed microspheres. A population of dyed microspheres is also provided. Each of the dyed microspheres of the population includes a dye attached to a polymer of each of the dyed microspheres by a chemical structure. A coefficient of variation in dye characteristics of the population of dyed microspheres attributable to the dye is less than about 10%.

Abstract: Various methods for altering surface characteristics of a microsphere are provided. One method includes coupling an enolic acid to the microsphere to modify the surface characteristics of the microsphere. The surface characteristics may include charge density and/or pKa. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid. The reagent may include a biomolecule. The modified surface characteristics may increase a stability of the reagent when the reagent is coupled to the microsphere. The modified surface characteristics may also improve performance of an assay carried out with the microsphere. Another embodiment relates to a microsphere that includes an enolic acid coupled to a polymer core of the microsphere such that the enolic acid modifies surface characteristics of the microsphere. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid.

Abstract: Various methods for altering surface characteristics of a microsphere are provided. One method includes coupling an enolic acid to the microsphere to modify the surface characteristics of the microsphere. The surface characteristics may include charge density and/or pKa. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid. The reagent may include a biomolecule. The modified surface characteristics may increase a stability of the reagent when the reagent is coupled to the microsphere. The modified surface characteristics may also improve performance of an assay carried out with the microsphere. Another embodiment relates to a microsphere that includes an enolic acid coupled to a polymer core of the microsphere such that the enolic acid modifies surface characteristics of the microsphere. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid.

Abstract: Methods, particles and kits for determining kinase activity within a sample are provided. An embodiment of a method includes exposing a fluorescent particle to an assay, wherein the fluorescent particle includes a support substrate having one or more fluorescent materials and a peptide substrate coupled to the support substrate via a functional group of the support substrate. The method further includes phosphorylating the peptide substrate during exposure of the fluorescent particle to the assay and processing the fluorescent particle such that the peptide substrate is dephosphorylated and a polarized double bond is generated at a dephosphorylated site. In addition, the method includes coupling a fluorescent reporter having a nucleophilic terminal group to the fluorescent particle via the polarized double bond.

Abstract: Methods, particles and kits for determining kinase activity within a sample are provided. An embodiment of a method includes exposing a fluorescent particle to an assay, wherein the fluorescent particle includes a support substrate having one or more fluorescent materials and a peptide substrate coupled to the support substrate via a functional group of the support substrate. The method further includes phosphorylating the peptide substrate during exposure of the fluorescent particle to the assay and processing the fluorescent particle such that the peptide substrate is dephosphorylated and a polarized double bond is generated at a dephosphorylated site. In addition, the method includes coupling a fluorescent reporter having a nucleophilic terminal group to the fluorescent particle via the polarized double bond.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) wherein the variables are defined herein. Methods of dye-labeling biomolecules with the compound of formula (I) and dye-labeled biomolecules are also provided.