Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of target nucleic acids using enzyme-assisted nanotechnology. More specifically, the present invention provides a molecular nanotechnology in the form of a transition-state DNA-enzyme molecular switch and methods of use that enables direct and sensitive detection of viral RNA targets in native clinical samples. In one embodiment, the detection comprising steps of providing a composition comprising at least one DNA polymerase enzyme, at least one enhancer, and at least one DNA polymerase inhibitor, wherein the DNA polymerase inhibitor is recognized and bound by the DNA polymerase enzyme via its conserved region, and is complementary to a portion of the enhance via its variable region. In another embodiment, the detection method comprising steps of providing a signalling nanostructure and detecting signal development, wherein a change in the intensity of signal. In an alternative embodiment, the target nucleic acid is a SARS-CoV-2 polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalytic, nucleic acid nanostmctures that enable versatile detection of RNAs, their use, and devices comprising same. The nanostructure comprises a DNA polymerase enzyme, a DNA aptamer and an inverter oligonucleotide, wherein the DNA aptamer comprising (i) a conserved sequence region for binding to the DNA polymerase enzyme, wherein the binding inactivates the polymerase activity, (ii) a variable sequence region for binding to the inverter oligonucleotide, and (iii) a duplex stabilizer region that lies between the conserved sequence region and the variable sequence region. The present invention also relates to the use of the nanostructure in a method of detection of nucleic acid for diagnosing a disease in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) biomarker set. Also disclosed herein is a detection system using the biomarker set disclosed herein, methods of determining whether a subject has or shows recurrence of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, method of determining whether a renal mass sample is benign or malignant, method of detecting response of a subject to systemic treatment, and a kit for carrying out the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting and/or characterising a nanovesicle in a sample or a method of detecting a target that is bound or associated with said nanovesicle, wherein the sample is brought into contact with nanoparticles that are capable of binding on the surface of nanovesicle and form, in situ, a nanoshell that surround said nanovesicle. In a preferred embodiment, the nanovesicle is exosome labelled with fluorescent probes and the nanoparticles are gold nanoparticles (AuNP). The invention also relates to a kit or microfluidic chip for performing such methods, as well as a method of determining the prognosis of a cancer in a subject by performing such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device (100) for mixing liquids, wherein the microfluidic device (100) comprises a plurality of device inlets (110), each device inlet (110) for receiving a liquid; a chamber assembly (120) comprising a set of chamber inlets (122) in fluid communication with the device inlets (110); a mixing chamber (124) for receiving the liquids through the chamber inlets (122); and a plurality of chamber outlets (126) for communicating the liquids away from the mixing chamber (124); and a set of device outlets (130) in fluid communication with the chamber outlets (126), wherein the chamber outlets (126) are spaced around the mixing chamber (124) such that the mixing chamber (124) facilitates uniform mixing of the liquids communicating from the chamber inlets (122) to the chamber outlets (126).

Abstract: The present invention relates to signalling catalytic nucleic acid nanostructures that are responsive to polymerase activity, methods of their use, devices and kits comprising the same. More specifically, the present invention provides a catalytic signalling nanostructure comprising a DNAzyme/RNAzyme, such as G-quadruplex hemin, and a polymerase—responsive element. Polymerase elongation of the polymerase-responsive element eliminates catalytic activity of the DNAzyme/RNAzyme. The catalytic nucleic acid nanostructure can be used alone or paired with a target recognition nanostructure which can transduce molecular signals into polymerase activity, in an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A wearable sweat sensor for detecting one or more analytes in human sweat comprises an optical module comprising at least one light source and at least one light detector; at least one sensor layer optically coupled to the optical module and having optical absorbance properties that are dependent on the concentration of a target analyte of said one or more analytes; and one or more processors in communication with the optical module. The one or more processors are configured to: cause light from the at least one light source to be transmitted towards, and/or through, the at least one sensor layer; obtain, from the at least one light detector, one or more optical signals reflected and/or transmitted from the at least one sensor layer; and determine, from at least one wavelength component of the one or more optical signals, a target analyte concentration.

Abstract: Devices and methods for analysing extracellular vesicle glycans are described. According to an embodiment, a microfluidic device comprises an inlet portion configured to receive a fluid sample; a mixing portion fluidically coupled to the inlet portion and configured to facilitate mixing between the fluid sample and magnetic nanoparticles functionalized to bind with extracellular vesicles and aggregate to vesicle glycans in the fluid sample; a magnetic separation portion fluidically coupled to the mixing portion and configured to separate clusters of magnetic nanoparticles from the fluid sample; and a magnetic sensor configured to measure magnetic properties of the fluid sample after it has passed through the magnetic separation portion. The magnetic nanoparticles may configured to aggregate in the presence of respective lectins when bound with extracellular vesicles carrying target glycans. In a specific embodiment, the magnetic particles comprise a magnetic polycore coated with polydopamine.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of neurology. In particular, the disclosure relates to a method of detecting a neurodegenerative disease in a subject and methods of treatment thereof. The methods include detecting the level of an exosome-bound aggregated biomarker in a sample obtained from the subject, wherein an increased level of the exosome-bound aggregated biomarker as compared to a reference indicates that the subject is suffering from a neurodegenerative disease. Also described are methods for detecting a subject at risk of developing amyloidosis or a neurodegenerative disease, methods for detecting and treating amyloidosis or a neurodegenerative disease in a subject, and methods of determining the aggregation state of a biomarker in a sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a sensor chip and methods for the detection of an analyte. In particular, the disclosure relates to a sensor chip for detecting an analyte in a subject suffering from a neurodegenerative disease. The sensor chip comprises a conductive layer on a membrane support layer, wherein a plurality of apertures extend through the conductive layer and the membrane support layer and are arranged such that illumination of the conductive layer and/or the membrane support layer produces a surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: Methods and systems including a set of interacting nucleic acid structures for use in detecting and/or identifying a target comprising: a nucleic acid sequence capable of being conjugated to a moiety directed to the target; and a nucleic acid nanostructure comprising a segment sequence complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid sequence capable of being conjugated to a moiety directed to the target. The moiety directed to the target may be an antibody, and the nucleic acid nanostructure may be a tetrahedron.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for specific detection of nucleic acids using an integrated circuit of two independent enzyme-DNA nanostructures—an easily adjustable recognition element and a sensitive universal signaling element—to decouple target recognition and visual signal amplification. The recognition element comprises a DNA polymerase enzyme, a DNA polymerase enzyme-specific DNA aptamer and an inverter oligonucleotide. In the presence of a target nucleic acid, the inverter oligonucleotide binds to the target nucleic acid and releases the DNA polymerase enzyme from inhibition by the DNA aptamer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) biomarker set. Also disclosed herein is a detection system using the biomarker set disclosed herein, methods of determining whether a subject has or shows recurrence of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, method of determining whether a renal mass sample is benign or malignant, method of detecting response of a subject to systemic treatment, and a kit for carrying out the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticulate material comprising long ultrathin metal nanowires, and to processes for making it. The nanoparticulate material may be used as a catalyst and, in the presence of a chiral modifier, can catalyse enantioselective reactions.

Abstract: A heterodimer particle is provided which comprises a first component particle comprising magnetite and a second component particle comprising silver. The second component particle may have a structure and a particle size selected to generate two-photon fluorescence emission. The heterodimer particle may be irradiated with light of a wavelength selected to induce two-photon fluorescence emission, which is then detected. Tetramethylammonium hydroxide may be bonded to the surface of the first component and glutathione may be bonded to the surface of the second component. The heterodimer particle may be formed by preparing a magnetite particle and growing a silver particle on the magnetite particle, in the presence of 1,2-dodecanediol as a reducing agent.