Abstract: Composite organic-inorganic nanoclusters (COINs) are provided that produce surface-enhanced Raman signals (SERS) when excited by a laser. The nanoclusters include metal particles and a Raman-active organic compound. The metal required for achieving a suitable SERS signal is inherent in the nanocluster and a wide variety of Raman-active organic compounds and combinations thereof can be incorporated into the nanocluster. In addition, polymeric microspheres containing the nanoclusters and methods of making them are also provided. The nanoclusters and microspheres can be used, for example, in assays for multiplex detection of biological molecules.

Abstract: Composite organic-inorganic nanoparticles (COIN) are provided that produce surface-enhanced Raman signals when excited by a laser. The nanoparticles include metallic colloids and a Raman-active organic compound. The metal required for achieving a suitable SERS signal is inherent in the nanoparticle, and a wide variety of Raman-active organic compounds can be incorporated into the particle. Indeed, a large number of unique Raman signatures can be created by employing nanoparticles containing Raman-active organic compounds of different structures, mixtures, and ratios. Thus, nanoparticles and methods described herein are useful for the simultaneous detection of many analytes in a mixture, resulting in rapid qualitative analysis of a mixture. In addition, since many Raman-active organic compounds can be incorporated into a single nanoparticle, the SERS signal from a single COIN particle is strong relative to SERS signals obtained from Raman-active materials that do not contain the nanoparticles described herein.

Abstract: Composite organic-inorganic nanoparticles (COIN) and clusters of such nanoparticles are provided that produce surface-enhanced Raman signals when excited by a laser. The nanoparticles include metallic colloids and a Raman-active organic compound. The metal required for achieving a suitable SERS signal is inherent in the nanoparticle, and a wide variety of Raman-active organic compounds can be incorporated into the particle. Methods for producing the nanoparticles and clusters of nanoparticles are also provided. In addition, polymeric microspheres containing the nanoparticles and clusters of nanoparticles and methods of making them are also provided. Methods for using the nanoparticles, clusters, and microspheres in assays for multiplex detection of biological molecules do not require signal amplification techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved autologous T cell vaccines and methods for their production. The invention is also directed to methods for treating T cell associated diseases such as multiple sclerosis are rheumatoid arthritis using autologous T cell vaccines.