Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include compositions having a plurality of individual polymeric nanowires. Individual polymeric nanowires according to embodiments include a bioactive compound. Methods for preparing and methods for administering the subject compositions of individual polymeric nanowires to a subject are also described. Kits having one or more components for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor-metal composite nanoparticles with optical properties that are superior to those of pure materials for use as contrast agents. The composites include noble metal nanoparticles having a layer of linker molecules being bound to the surface of the noble metal nanoparticle and a layer of dye molecules bound to the layer of linker molecules. The dye molecules are selected such that they form an ordered structure that exhibits a collective absorption band shift, compared to the individual dye molecule, when bound to the noble metal nanoparticle. This structure is encapsulated in a stabilizing coating layer forming a multi-shell structure with properties suitable for biosensing and other detection applications which exhibit enhanced Raman scattering compared to nanoparticles having dye molecules bound thereto not in the ordered structure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include compositions having a plurality of individual polymeric nanowires. Individual polymeric nanowires according to embodiments include a bioactive compound. Methods for preparing and methods for administering the subject compositions of individual polymeric nanowires to a subject are also described. Kits having one or more components for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor-metal composite nanoparticles with optical properties that are superior to those of pure materials for use as contrast agents. The composites include noble metal nanoparticles having a layer of linker molecules being bound to the surface of the noble metal nanoparticle and a layer of dye molecules bound to the layer of linker molecules. The dye molecules are selected such that they form an ordered structure that exhibits a collective absorption band shift, compared to the individual dye molecule, when bound to the noble metal nanoparticle. This structure is encapsulated in a stabilizing coating layer forming a multi-shell structure with properties suitable for biosensing and other detection applications which exhibit enhanced Raman scattering compared to nanoparticles having dye molecules bound thereto not in the ordered structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor-metal composite nanoparticles with optical properties that are superior to those of pure materials for use as contrast agents. The composites include noble metal nanoparticles having a layer of linker molecules being bound to the surface of the noble metal nanoparticle and a layer of dye molecules bound to the layer of linker molecules. The dye molecules are selected such that they form an ordered structure that exhibits a collective absorption band shift, compared to the individual dye molecule, when bound to the noble metal nanoparticle. This structure is encapsulated in a stabilizing coating layer forming a multi-shell structure with properties suitable for biosensing and other detection applications which exhibit enhanced Raman scattering compared to nanoparticles having dye molecules bound thereto not in the ordered structure.