Abstract: The present invention refers to the in vitro use of a microfluidic kit or device comprising a support or substrate, wherein said support or substrate comprises at least one channel in the substrate, the channel comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a flow-path connecting the inlet and outlet, wherein the inlet and outlet together define a midplane; and a portion of the flowpath travels transversely across the midplane, wherein the portion of the flowpath that travels transversely across the midplane includes a recognition site or sensing area for detecting a target analyte; for detecting an analyte as a result of the heat generated by metal nanoparticles when they are irradiated with an external light source.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biosensor for visual detection of an analyte, based on the light to heat conversion properties of metal nanoparticles: the analyte is visually detected by the color change in the support areas (where the analyte is present), produced as a result of the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles where they are irradiated with an external light source. Use of said biosensor in a method for the detection of analytes is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biosensor for visual detection of an analyte, based on the light to heat conversion properties of metal nanoparticles: the analyte is visually detected by the color change in the support areas (where the analyte is present), produced as a result of the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles where they are irradiated with an external light source. Use of said biosensor in a method for the detection of analytes is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing multifunctional materials comprising the steps of: a) chemically activating functional groups present in a micro- or nanoparticulate base material; b) performing a nucleophilic substitution reaction between at least one terminal amino, carboxyl or thiol group of a PNA or DNA type A chain and at least one activated functional group of the base material produced in step (a); c) conjugating to a biomolecule by means of chemically activating functional groups of a PNA/DNA type B chain, which is complementary to the PNA/DNA type A chain; and d) hybridizing the PNA/DNA type A chains which are bound to the base material according to step b) and the PNA/DNA type B chains having biomolecules bound thereto according to step c) by means of PNA-PNA or PNA-DNA molecular recognition.

Abstract: Quantum dots having ligands that comprise tiopronin capping groups are disclosed, along with a method for their preparation. The biocompatibility of these quantum dots is also demonstrated. The functionalization of the quantum dots of the present invention with targeting groups is also described using the example of a translocation peptide that allows the quantum dots to penetrate into the nucleus of cells.