Abstract: A chemical composition including a fluorescent polymer and a receptor that is specific for both a target biological agent and a chemical moiety including (a) a recognition element, (b) a tethering element, and (c) a property-altering element is disclosed. Both the fluorescent polymer and the receptor are co-located on a support. When the chemical moiety is bound to the receptor, the property-altering element is sufficiently close to the fluorescent polymer to alter the fluorescence emitted by the polymer. When an analyte sample is introduced, the target biological agent, if present, binds to the receptor, thereby displacing the chemical moiety from the receptor, resulting in an increase of detected fluorescence. Assays for detecting the presence of a target biological agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Reagents and assays for kinase, phosphatase and protease enzyme activity which employ metal ion-phosphate ligand specific binding and fluorescent polymer superquenching are described. The assays provide a general platform for the measurement of kinase, phosphatase and protease enzyme activity using peptide and protein substrates. Reagents and assays based on DNA hybridization and reagents and assays for proteins which employ aptamers, antibodies and other ligands are also described.

Abstract: A method includes contacting an analyte; a phosphorylatable or dephosphorylatable substrate bound to a quencher; and a sensor that includes at least one fluorescent polymer complexed to one or more metal species; to form a composition; and determining the fluorescence of the composition, if any; wherein when the substrate is phosphorylated, an association occurs between the substrate and the sensor such that fluorescent superquenching occurs between the fluorescent polymer and the quencher.

Abstract: A chemical composition including a fluorescent polymer and a receptor that is specific for both a target biological agent and a chemical moiety including (a) a recognition element, (b) a tethering element, and (c) a property-altering element is disclosed. Both the fluorescent polymer and the receptor are co-located on a support. When the chemical moiety is bound to the receptor, the property-altering element is sufficiently close to the fluorescent polymer to alter the fluorescence emitted by the polymer. When an analyte sample is introduced, the target biological agent, if present, binds to the receptor, thereby displacing the chemical moiety from the receptor, resulting in an increase of detected fluorescence. Assays for detecting the presence of a target biological agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions including biocidal reagents and articles treated or coated therewith are described. The compositions can be used to make passive biocidal surfaces. Exemplary biocidal reagents include visible light-absorbing polyelectrolytes which act as passive biocides upon exposure to radiation, including relatively weak “background” radiation such as natural light sources (e.g., indirect sunlight) and artificial light sources. Methods of treating or coating surfaces with the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Bioconjugates, kits and assays for detecting the activity of protease enzymes such as ?-secretase and caspase enzymes are described. The bioconjugates include a tether having a segment capable of recognizing and interacting with (e.g., being cleaved by) the enzyme, a fluorescer including a plurality of fluorescent species conjugated to a first location on the tether, and a quencher conjugated to a second location on the tether. The segment capable of recognizing and interacting with the protease enzyme (e.g., ?-secretase or caspase) is located between the first and second locations on the tether. The plurality of fluorescent species are associated with one another such that the quencher is capable of amplified super-quenching of the fluorescer. The assay is suitable for screening potential drugs for their efficiency in inhibiting the activity of protease enzymes such as ?-secretase in a high throughput format where the potential drugs are evaluated.

Abstract: A bioconjugate comprising a fluorescer (P) linked to a quencher (Q) by a tether (T) is provided. The tether (T) includes a segment that can recognize and interact with a target biomolecule. In the absence of a specific interaction of the bioconjugate with an enzyme or other target biomolecule recognizing the bioconjugate, the fluorescence of the polymer (P) is attenuated or modified by the relatively close proximity thereto of the quencher (Q). As a consequence of the association of the bioconjugate with the target biomolecule, a reaction can occur which results in a cleavage of the bioconjugate tether and a release of the fluorescent polymer and/or quencher. This sequence of events can be followed by an enhancement or amplification of the polymer fluorescence.

Abstract: A chemical composition including a fluorescent polymer and a receptor that is specific for both a target biological agent and a chemical moiety including (a) a recognition element, (b) a tethering element, and (c) a property-altering element is disclosed. Both the fluorescent polymer and the receptor are co-located on a support. When the chemical moiety is bound to the receptor, the property-altering element is sufficiently close to the fluorescent polymer to alter the fluorescence emitted by the polymer. When an analyte sample is introduced, the target biological agent, if present, binds to the receptor, thereby displacing the chemical moiety from the receptor, resulting in an increase of detected fluorescence. Assays for detecting the presence of a target biological agent are also disclosed.