Abstract: The present invention includes methods for ratiometric detection of analytes by surface plasmon coupled emission detection that includes disposing a target on the metal layer of a surface plasmon resonance detection system; coupling a first analyte to a first fluorescent dye and a second analyte to a second fluorescent dye; contacting the first and second analytes to the target on the surface plasmon resonance detection system; and measuring the intensity of a first and a second surface plasmon resonance enhanced fluorescence emission ring, wherein the first and second rings, respectively, quantitatively represents the amount of first and second analyte within 50 nanometers of the metal surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for ratiometric detection of analytes by surface plasmon coupled emission detection that includes disposing a target on the metal layer of a surface plasmon resonance detection system; coupling a first analyte to a first fluorescent dye and a second analyte to a second fluorescent dye; contacting the first and second analytes to the target on the surface plasmon resonance detection system; and measuring the intensity of a first and a second surface plasmon resonance enhanced fluorescence emission ring, wherein the first and second rings, respectively, quantitatively represents the amount of first and second analyte within 50 nanometers of the metal surface.

Abstract: Optical bio-disc assays and synthesis of bio-active nanoparticles and nanocapsules for use therewith. Related methods for synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles for use in disc assays include forming reverse micelles having an outer non-polar shell and an inner polar cavity and solubilizing in the reverse micelles a polymerizing mixture including monomers, co-monomers, weakly polar monomers, and/or polymerizable surfactants. This may also include an initiator of polymerization. The methods also include polymerizing the mixture. The invention is also directed to the use of the nanoparticles and nanocapsules in optical bio-disc assays for the detection of analytes including nucleic acid sequences. Related optical assay discs and disc systems are also provided.