Abstract: Composite electrodes are described herein, comprising a stainless steel substrate and silicon-containing nanostructures extending from the substrate, as well as processes for preparing such electrodes without requiring a catalyst by pre-treatment of the steel. At least a portion of the silicon-containing nanostructures are characterized by: being substantially devoid of a non-silicon catalyst material and/or a noble metal; and/or including along its length a metal constituent originating from the steel substrate; and/or including a metal silicide extending from the substrate and along at least a portion of its length; and/or being fused with at least one other silicon-containing nanostructure at a location removed from a surface of the substrate to form a sponge-like three-dimensional structure; and/or being stainless steel nanostructures having a layer of silicon disposed thereon.

Abstract: A sensing system and a method utilizing same for determining and/or monitoring a presence and/or level of an analyte in a sample are provided. The sensing system is made of a nanostructure, or a plurality of nanostructures, having covalently attached thereto and a hydrogel having associated therewith a sensing moiety which selectively interacts with the analyte and being configured such that upon contacting the analyte, the nanostructure(s) exhibit a detectable change in an electrical property.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing lung cancer in a subject-in-need thereof is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a biological sample of the subject which comprises peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); (b) in vitro contacting the PBMCs with a stimulant selected from the group consisting of the stimulants listed in Tables 3 and 4; and (c) measuring metabolic activity of the PBMCs having been contacted according to (b), wherein a statistically significant change in the metabolic activity of the PBMCs as compared to a control sample is indicative of lung cancer.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing lung cancer in a subject-in-need thereof is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a biological sample of the subject which comprises peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); (b) in vitro contacting the PBMCs with a stimulant selected from the group consisting of the stimulants listed in Tables 3 and 4; and (c) measuring metabolic activity of the PBMCs having been contacted according to (b), wherein a statistically significant change in the metabolic activity of the PBMCs as compared to a control sample is indicative of lung cancer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a presence, amount and/or type of a pathogenic organism in a substrate is provided. The method is effected by contacting a sample suspected as containing the pathogenic organism or a portion thereof with an electrode, thereafter contacting the electrode with an aptamer that selectively binds to said pathogenic organism; thereafter contacting the electrode with an agent that participates in an electrochemically detectable reaction and thereafter perform the electrochemical reaction while using the electrode. The electric signal produced by the reaction is indicative of a presence and/or amount of the pathogenic organism. Also provided are a sensing system and kits usable for practicing the method, and use of the method for determining a suitable agent for reducing a load of a pathogenic organism in a substrate.

Abstract: A sensing element comprises a transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode, a gate electrode and a semiconductor nanostructure connecting between the source and the gate electrodes. The semiconductor nanostructure is modified by a functional moiety covalently attached thereto. A voltage source is connected to the gate electrode. A controller controls a gate voltage applied by the voltage source to the gate electrode such as to reverse a redox reaction occurring when the moiety contacts a redox reactive agent.

Abstract: A system featuring a substrate and a multiplicity of nanostructures arranged on the substrate is provided. At least one portion of the nanostructures feature a capturing moiety covalently attached to a surface thereof and at least another portion of the nanostructures, which can be the same or different from the first portion, feature a light-activatable moiety covalently attached to a surface thereof. The capturing moiety is such that selectively interacts with an analyte, and the light-activatable moiety generates, upon exposure to light, a reactive moiety that interferes with an interaction of the capturing moiety and the analyte. Further provided are systems featuring a substrate and a multiplicity of nanostructures aligned generally vertically to the substrate, at least a portion of these nanostructures being branched nanostructures. Uses of the systems in extracting, and optionally identifying, the analyte from a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A carbon electrode having a functional moiety that forms a charge-transfer complex with a nitro-containing compound covalently attached to a surface of the electrode, and a process of preparing such an electrode are provided. Also provided are sensing systems integrating the carbon electrode and methods utilizing same for electrochemical detection of nitro-containing compounds.

Abstract: A carbon electrode having a functional moiety that forms a charge-transfer complex with a nitro-containing compound covalently attached to a surface of the electrode, and a process of preparing such an electrode are provided. Also provided are sensing systems integrating the carbon electrode and methods utilizing same for electrochemical detection of nitro-containing compounds.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing lung cancer in a subject-in-need thereof is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a biological sample of the subject which comprises peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); (b) in vitro contacting the PBMCs with a stimulant selected from the group consisting of the stimulants listed in Tables 3 and 4; and (c) measuring metabolic activity of the PBMCs having been contacted according to (b), wherein a statistically significant change in the metabolic activity of the PBMCs as compared to a control sample is indicative of lung cancer.

Abstract: Composite electrodes are described herein, comprising a stainless steel substrate and silicon-containing nanostructures extending from the substrate, as well as processes for preparing such electrodes without requiring a catalyst by pre-treatment of the steel. At least a portion of the silicon-containing nanostructures are characterized by: being substantially devoid of a non-silicon catalyst material and/or a noble metal; and/or including along its length a metal constituent originating from the steel substrate; and/or including a metal silicide extending from the substrate and along at least a portion of its length; and/or being fused with at least one other silicon-containing nanostructure at a location removed from a surface of the substrate to form a sponge-like three-dimensional structure; and/or being stainless steel nanostructures having a layer of silicon disposed thereon.

Abstract: A method of detecting a presence and/or concentration of a marker, e.g., a marker, in a liquid, e.g., a liquid, is disclosed. The method comprises: contacting the liquid with a sensor having an immobilized affinity moiety interacting with the marker and being configured to generate a detectable signal responsively to the interaction. The method further comprises washing the liquid off the sensor, and detecting the presence and/or concentration of the marker based on a detectable signal received from the sensor within a time-window beginning a predetermined time period after a beginning time of the washing.

Abstract: A light sensor comprises a nanostructure connectable to a source electrode and a drain electrode, and light sensitive moiety covalently attached to a surface of the nanostructure. The light sensitive moiety comprises a light sensitive molecule having an absorbance spectrum in a visible range. The light sensitive molecule is selected such that upon irradiation of the light sensor by light having a central wavelength within the absorbance spectrum, the sensitive molecule transfers or extracts an electron to or from the surface of the nanostructure.

Abstract: A sensing electrode, and an electrochemical system and method utilizing same for detecting peroxide-containing compounds in a sample, are provided. The sensing electrode is a carbon electrode having ions of a metal that promotes decomposition of a peroxide absorbed to its surface, optionally along with a solid electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A system featuring a substrate and a multiplicity of nanostructures arranged on the substrate is provided. At least one portion of the nanostructures feature a capturing moiety covalently attached to a surface thereof and at least another portion of the nanostructures, which can be the same or different from the first portion, feature a light-activatable moiety covalently attached to a surface thereof. The capturing moiety is such that selectively interacts with an analyte, and the light-activatable moiety generates, upon exposure to light, a reactive moiety that interferes with an interaction of the capturing moiety and the analyte. Further provided are systems featuring a substrate and a multiplicity of nanostructures aligned generally vertically to the substrate, at least a portion of these nanostructures being branched nanostructures. Uses of the systems in extracting, and optionally identifying, the analyte from a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A sensing electrode, and an electrochemical system and method utilizing same for detecting peroxide-containing compounds in a sample, are provided. The sensing electrode is a carbon electrode having ions of a metal that promotes decomposition of a peroxide absorbed to its surface, optionally along with a solid electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides anodes comprising an electrically conductive substrate, comprising at least one non-uniform surface; and a random network of silicon nanowires (Si NWs) chemically grown on said at least one non-uniform surface of the substrate, wherein the Si NWs have at least about 30% amorphous morphology, and methods of manufacturing of the anodes. Further provided are lithium ion batteries comprising said anodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing target molecules such as redox reactive agents, comprising a sample compartment and a sensing compartment being in fluid communication, are disclosed. A sensing compartment which comprises nanostructures to which a functional moiety is covalently attached and which is such that upon contacting a redox reactive agent a change in electrical property of the nanostructure occurs, and integration of such a sensing compartment with sensing systems as described herein are also disclosed. Methods of monitoring a metabolic activity of cells, and uses thereof, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least presence of a bioanalyte. The system comprises: a substrate having a skin contact surface, a microneedle outwardly protruding from the skin contact surface, a sensing complex positioned in the microneedle, and a circuit attached to the substrate. The sensing complex can comprise a nanostructure modified by a functional moiety covalently attached thereto, and an affinity moiety effective to react specifically with the bioanalyte to produce a reaction product. The circuit can apply voltage to the nanostructure and monitor changes in an electrical property of the nanostructure responsively to reaction between the reaction product and the functional moiety.

Abstract: A sensing system and a method utilizing same for determining and/or monitoring a presence and/or level of an analyte in a sample are provided. The sensing system is made of a nanostructure, or a plurality of nanostructures, having covalently attached thereto and a hydrogel having associated therewith a sensing moiety which selectively interacts with the analyte and being configured such that upon contacting the analyte, the nanostructure(s) exhibit a detectable change in an electrical property.