Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of hydroxyapatite-selective fluorescent dyes in combination with fluorescence lifetime imaging to detect any hydroxyapatite spherules or hydroxyapatite deposits in the retina tissue of a subject, including the peripheral or macula tissue, wherein the hydroxyapatite spherules or hydroxyapatite deposits initiate or support the growth of sub-RPE deposits and correlates with age-related macular degeneration and/or Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of hydroxyapatite-selective fluorescent dyes in combination with fluorescence lifetime imaging to detect any hydroxyapatite spherules or hydroxyapatite deposits in the retina tissue of a subject, including the peripheral or macula tissue, wherein the hydroxyapatite spherules or hydroxyapatite deposits initiate or support the growth of sub-RPE deposits and correlates with age-related macular degeneration and/or Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Techniques for metal enhanced fluorescence include determining a calibration curve that relates concentration of a particular analyte to at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at a plasmonic substrate in response to incident light, for a plurality of known concentrations of the particular analyte mixed with a reagent. The reagent comprises a detection molecule. A concentration of the particular analyte in a vicinity of a cell in a sample is determined directly from the calibration curve and measurements, in response to the incident light, of at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at the plasmonic substrate in contact with the cell and reagent.

Abstract: Techniques for metal enhanced fluorescence include determining a calibration curve that relates concentration of a particular analyte to at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at a plasmonic substrate in response to incident light, for a plurality of known concentrations of the particular analyte mixed with a reagent. The reagent comprises a detection molecule. A concentration of the particular analyte in a vicinity of a cell in a sample is determined directly from the calibration curve and measurements, in response to the incident light, of at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at the plasmonic substrate in contact with the cell and reagent.

Abstract: Techniques for metal enhanced fluorescence include determining a calibration curve that relates concentration of a particular analyte to at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at a functionalized substrate in response to incident light, for a plurality of known concentrations of the particular analyte mixed with a reagent. The functionalized substrate comprises a plasmonic substrate and a bioactive target molecule that has an affinity for the particular analyte. The reagent comprises a detection molecule. A concentration of the particular analyte in a sample is determined directly from the calibration curve and measurements, in response to the incident light, of at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at the functionalized substrate in contact with the sample and reagent.

Abstract: A method and kit for determining the quantity of an analyte include providing a functionalized substrate and a reagent. The functionalized substrate includes metallic nanoparticles and a plurality of substantively identical bioactive target molecules affixed to a substrate. The bioactive target molecule binds to a particular analyte. The reagent includes identical detection molecules. Each detection molecule includes a fluorophore, and binds to a particular analyte or competes with a particular analyte for binding to the target molecule. The functionalized substrate is contacted to a test sample and the reagent. The functionalized substrate and a covering solution are exposed to polarized electromagnetic waves that excite the fluorophore. A quantity of the particular analyte in the test sample is determined based on measuring polarization anisotropy of fluorescent emissions from the substrate and the covering solution.

Abstract: A method for enhancing fluorescence of a biomolecule includes the step of associating the biomolecule having intrinsic fluorescence with a sensing surface that contains nanostructured metal. Association of the biomolecule with the nanostructured metal enhances its intrinsic fluorescence, which is detected upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a suitable wavelength. The sensing surface may include capture or ligand molecule which binds to the biomolecule and sequesters it in proximity to the nanostructured metal, thereby causing its fluorescent signal to be enhanced. The method can be used in label-free bioassays for detection of interacting biomolecules, such as antibody-antigen binding.

Abstract: A method and kit for determining the quantity of an analyte include providing a functionalized substrate and a reagent. The functionalized substrate includes metallic nanoparticles and a plurality of substantively identical bioactive target molecules affixed to a substrate. The bioactive target molecule binds to a particular analyte. The reagent includes identical detection molecules. Each detection molecule includes a fluorophore, and binds to a particular analyte or competes with a particular analyte for binding to the target molecule. The functionalized substrate is contacted to a test sample and the reagent. The functionalized substrate and a covering solution are exposed to polarized electromagnetic waves that excite the fluorophore. A quantity of the particular analyte in the test sample is determined based on measuring polarization anisotropy of fluorescent emissions from the substrate and the covering solution.

Abstract: A system and method of optically measuring Na+ and K+ in a sample such as blood which contains high concentrations Na+ (up to 160 mM) and K+ (up to 6.5 mM) using a photoluminescent probe having intrinsic analyte-induced lifetime changes. Specifically, the use of lifetime-based sensing of Na+ and K+ at the extracellular concentrations present in whole blood or, blood serum. The preferred embodiment uses phase-modulation fluorometry.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method of measuring an analyte in a sample includes the following steps. A metal-ligand complex probe is contacted with a sample containing analyte. The probe is bound to analyte in the sample to form an analyte-bound probe species. Both bound and unbound species of the probe exist in the sample. At least one of the bound and unbound species is fluorescent, with each of the bound and unbound species being optically distinguishable. The sample containing the bound and unbound species is excited with radiation, so as to produce a resulting emission from at least one of the bound and unbound species. The resulting emission is detected, so as to provide an optical measurement of the emission. Concentration of analyte in the sample is determined utilizing the optical measurement of the emission.

Abstract: A method of conducting an immunoassay of a sample of interest is described, including the steps of (A) coupling a luminescent asymmetric metal-ligand complex to the sample of interest to form a coupled sample, (B) exciting the coupled sample with linearly polarized electromagnetic energy to cause the coupled sample to emit fluorescent light; and (C) measuring the polarization of the fluorescent emission as a measure of a biological characteristic of the sample of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enable minimally invasive transdermal measurements of the fluorescence lifetime of an implanted element without reagent consumption and not requiring painful blood sampling. The monitoring apparatus displays the quantity of a selected substance present in the skin and stores the data in memory. The stored information can be transmitted via modem, or antenna, to a master station for diagnostic purposes or clinical evaluation. The use of this method and apparatus improves control of blood monitoring, and therefore, enhances long-term disease management with fewer complications.

Abstract: A system and method in which a photoluminescent ligand is added to a sample to be analyzed in the form of a photoluminescent probe having intrinsic analyte-induced lifetime changes. The method preferably employs phase-modulation fluorometry to measure the lifetime changes. Specific probes are disclosed for measuring various analytes, particularly ionic solutes, including H.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+ and K.sup.+.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection and/or measurement of physical characteristics of a sample based on multi-dimensional phase-modulation fluorescence lifetime imaging using at least one fluorescent probe having known and/or variable fluorescent lifetimes.