Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a small molecule tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the enzyme activity of PARP-1 that is responsible for DNA-damage sensing and critically involved in radiation therapy and some chemotherapy response mechanisms. These PARP-1 tracers are derivatives of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which is the natural substrate for PARP-1. Provided are NAD derivatives that include a linker moiety to which may be attached a label moiety such as a PET detectable fluorine to generate a 6N-(triazo-PEG2-18F)-NAD. Especially advantageous for use in PET and MRI scanning detection systems is the attachment of a chelating agent that allows for the formation of a chelator-metal ion complex.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting, quantifying, differentiating, diagnosing and imaging pathogenic bacteria or condition associated therewith using substrates for bacterial enzymes. Fluorescent, luminescent or colorimetric signals emitted by substrates or enzyme products in the presence of the bacteria are compared to controls to detect and locate the pathogenic bacteria. Provided is a method for screening therapeutic agents to treat the pathophysiological conditions by measuring a signal emitted from the substrates or products in the presence and absence of the potential therapeutic agent and a diagnostic method for detecting a mycobacterial infection in a subject by contacting biological samples with a substrate and imaging for signals emitted from a mycobacterial beta-lactamase product. Also provided are fluorogenic substrates or substrates comprising a colored dye or a chemical reagent effective to induce a color or pH change.

Abstract: ?-Lactamase substrates and methods for using the substrates to detect ?-lactamase and to diagnose tuberculosis.

Abstract: ?-Lactamase substrates and methods for using the substrates to detect ?-lactamase diagnose tuberculosis.

Abstract: Provided is an activatable probe that undergoes intramolecular cyclization and subsequent aggregation in apoptotic tumor cells upon peptidase-initiated, and most advantageously caspase-3, activation. These caspase-sensitive nano-aggregation probes (C-SNAFs) are generally biocompatible, possess NIR spectral properties or may serve as PET or MRI imaging agents, and have a mechanism of target-mediated nanostructure self-assembly amenable to in vivo use. The probes encompass biocompatible condensation chemistry products that comprise D-cysteine and 2-cyano-6-hydroxyquinoline (CHQ) moieties linked to an amino-luciferin scaffold, and which can be activated by a two-step reaction requiring caspase-3/7-mediated cleavage of an aspartate-glutamate-valine-aspartate (L-DEVD) capping peptide and the free intracellular thiol-mediated reduction of the disulfide bond.

Abstract: Provided are nanoparticles comprising an organic photovoltaic semiconductor polymer and a phospholipid, the semiconductor polymer being near-infra red absorbing and generating a detectable photoacoustic signal and a fluorescent emission when irradiated by an incident activation energy.

Abstract: Encompassed are embodiments of activatable nanoprobes useful for in vivo longitudinal imaging of drug hepatotoxicity with oxidative and nitrosative stress as the safety biomarkers. Both H2O2 and ONOO? are important mediators of radical stress. Two channels of optical detection, intrinsically free from cross-talk, were engineered into superconducting polymer nanoparticles to generate chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer between the conjugated polymer matrix of the nanoparticle and an incorporated chemiluminescent substrate allowing for the luminescent detection of H2O2 and fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the polymer matrix and an oxidation-degradable fluorophore for ratiometric detection of ONOO These nanoprobes have been applied for real-time in vivo monitoring of hepatotoxicity resulting from challenges from drugs.

Abstract: Provided herein are assays and in vitro methods to determine susceptibility to a drug effective against a pathogenic bacteria, for example, a pathogenic Mycobacteria, that has a beta-lactamase activity. An excitation wavelength is delivered to a biological sample obtained from a subject having an infection from the pathogenic bacteria in the presence of a beta-lactamase substrate. The intensity of a signal, such as a fluorescent, luminescent or colorimetric signal, at an emission wavelength of a product of the beta-lactamase on the subject is correlated to drug susceptibility. Also provided is an assay system for monitoring drug susceptibility of a pathogenic bacteria comprising color-producing substrates for a beta-lactamase of the pathogenic bacteria, an assay device for visibly detecting a product of the beta-lactamase on the substrate thereof and a reader configured to quantify the visibly detected product.

Abstract: For whole animal in-situ and real-time imaging of inflammation, a dual-color fluorescent nanoprobe is provided for the detection of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in inflammatory microenvironments. The nanoprobes of the disclosure are a RONS-responsive energy transferring nanosystem of a fluorescent conjugated polymer core and a PEG-shell linked with RONS-sensing antennae as a FRET acceptor. These nanoprobes allow in vivo imaging of the entire process of inflammation from the release of local tissue distress signals, to the action of leukocytes and macrophages late in the process of inflammation, through to restitution, allowing in whole-body diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include hybrid quantum dot/protein nanostructure, hybrid quantum dot/protein nanostructure systems, methods of using hybrid quantum dot/protein nanostructures, and the like.

Abstract: An enzyme detection method includes forming a caged substrate; releasing an uncaged substrate by cleaving a caging molecule from the caged substrate; and emitting a light emission from a Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer luminescent nanocrystal conjugate reacting with the uncaged substrate.

Abstract: Generally, conjugate systems, self-illuminating quantum dot conjugates, methods of detecting a target in a host, methods of treating a disease in a host, and the like, are described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting, quantifying, differentiating, diagnosing and imaging pathogenic bacteria or condition associated therewith using substrates for bacterial enzymes. Fluorescent, luminescent or colorimetric signals emitted by substrates or enzyme products in the presence of the bacteria are compared to controls to detect and locate the pathogenic bacteria. Provided is a method for screening therapeutic agents to treat the pathophysiological conditions by measuring a signal emitted from the substrates or products in the presence and absence of the potential therapeutic agent and a diagnostic method for detecting a mycobacterial infection in a subject by contacting biological samples with a substrate and imaging for signals emitted from a mycobacterial beta-lactamase product. Also provided are fluorogenic substrates or substrates comprising a colored dye or a chemical reagent effective to induce a color or pH change.

Abstract: Generally, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to conjugate systems, self-illuminating quantum dot conjugates, methods of detecting a target in a host, methods of treating a disease in a host, and the like.

Abstract: Generally, conjugate systems, self-illuminating quantum dot conjugates, methods of detecting a target in a host, methods of treating a disease in a host, and the like, are described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include hybrid quantum dot/protein nanostructure, hybrid quantum dot/protein nanostructure systems, methods of using hybrid quantum dot/protein nanostructures, and the like.

Abstract: A method of use of an activatable bioluminescent probe system includes: providing a bioluminescent protein and a quencher in a reaction environment; modifying a ligand between the quencher and the bioluminescent protein using a ligand interacting molecule; adding a bioluminescence initiating molecule to the reaction environment; and measuring light originating from the interaction between the bioluminescent protein and the bioluminescence initiating molecule.

Abstract: A method of use of a cysteine labeling system includes: providing a 2-cyano benzothial core with a covalently-linked biomolecule X in a reaction environment; and reacting the 2-cyano benzothial core to an N-terminal cystenine.

Abstract: Provided herein are imaging methods for detecting, diagnosing and imaging pathogenic bacteria or a pathophysiological condition associated therewith using fluorogenic substrates for bacterial enzymes. Fluorescent, luminescent or colorimetric signals emitted by substrates or enzyme products in the presence of the bacteria are compared to controls to detect and locate the pathogenic bacteria. Provided is a method for screening therapeutic agents to treat the pathophysiological conditions by measuring a signal emitted from the fluorogenic substrates or products in the presence and absence of the potential therapeutic agent. In addition, a diagnostic method for detecting a mycobacterial infection in a subject by contacting biological samples with a fluorogenic substrate and imaging for signals emitted from a mycobacterial beta-lactamase product.

Abstract: A bioluminogenic assay system including: providing a bioluminogenic substrate incorporating a beta-lactam antibiotic, a bioluminescence initiating compound, and a chemical linkage joining the beta-lactam antibiotic to the bioluminescence initiating compound; exposing the bioluminogenic substrate to a beta-lactamase enzyme that catalyzes the release of the bioluminescence initiating compound from the bioluminogenic substrate; co-exposing the bioluminogenic substrate to a bioluminescence indicator reaction that employs the bioluminescence initiating compound as a substrate; and detecting a light from the bioluminescence indicator reaction as a measure of the activity of the beta-lactamase enzyme.