Abstract: A material, article, system and method include a probe composition that includes a hydrophobic portion, a hydrophilic portion, an analyte-binding portion and a fluorophore portion. The analyte-binding portion is configured to bind to an analyte in an aqueous solution. The fluorophore portion is configured to change an optical property of fluorescent light emitted in response to incident excitation light when the probe composition changes between a first state in which the analyte is not bound to the analyte-binding portion and a second state in which the analyte binds to the analyte-binding portion. A material includes the probe composition and a silicone hydrogel substrate having a hydrogel network that allows flow of aqueous solution through the solution and a silicone network that occupies interstices of the hydrogel network. A contact lens having the material enables remote detection of glucose concentration in tear fluid of a subject.

Abstract: A material, article, system and method include a probe composition that includes a hydrophobic portion, a hydrophilic portion, an analyte-binding portion and a fluorophore portion. The analyte-binding portion is configured to bind to an analyte in an aqueous solution. The fluorophore portion is configured to change an optical property of fluorescent light emitted in response to incident excitation light when the probe composition changes between a first state in which the analyte is not bound to the analyte-binding portion and a second state in which the analyte binds to the analyte-binding portion. A material includes the probe composition and a silicone hydrogel substrate having a hydrogel network that allows flow of aqueous solution through the solution and a silicone network that occupies interstices of the hydrogel network. A contact lens having the material enables remote detection of glucose concentration in tear fluid of a subject.

Abstract: A probe compound, contact lens containing bound probe, and method are disclosed for use in detecting analytes in basal tears on the surface of the eye of a subject. The probe composition preferably includes a hydrophilic portion, an analyte-sensitive portion and a fluorophore portion as well as a hydrophobic portion that allows binding to the contact lens material and optionally can modify the binding affinity of the fluorophore probe. The analyte-sensitive portion is configured to bind to a specific analyte in aqueous solution or to be quenched by the analyte. The fluorophore portion is configured to change an optical property of fluorescent light emitted in response to incident excitation light when the probe composition changes between a first state in which the analyte is not bound to the analyte-binding portion and a second state in which the analyte binds to the analyte-binding portion.

Abstract: A material, article, system and method include a probe composition that includes a hydrophobic portion, a hydrophilic portion, an analyte-binding portion and a fluorophore portion. The analyte-binding portion is configured to bind to an analyte in an aqueous solution. The fluorophore portion is configured to change an optical property of fluorescent light emitted in response to incident excitation light when the probe composition changes between a first state in which the analyte is not bound to the analyte-binding portion and a second state in which the analyte binds to the analyte-binding portion. A material includes the probe composition and a silicone hydrogel substrate having a hydrogel network that allows flow of aqueous solution through the solution and a silicone network that occupies interstices of the hydrogel network. A contact lens having the material enables remote detection of glucose concentration in tear fluid of a subject.

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 enhanced fluorescence include a functionalized substrate for a target optical frequency comprising a one dimensional photonic crystal that is functionalized with a bioactive target molecule that has an affinity for a particular analytic. The one dimensional photonic crystal includes a plurality of dielectric layers including a plurality of high index of refraction layers alternating with a plurality of low index of refraction layers. The thickness of each layer is within a factor of four of a wavelength of the optical frequency in the layer. For emissions from a fluorophore bound to the target molecule and excited by incident light, there is an emission intensity maximum centered at an angle independent of the direction of the incident light.

Abstract: Techniques for enhanced fluorescence include a Tamm substrate for a target optical frequency comprising a metal nanoscale layer deposited on a Bragg grating. The Bragg grating includes multiple dielectric layers including multiple high index of refraction layers alternating with multiple low index of refraction layers. The dielectric layers are parallel to the metal nanoscale layer; and, the thickness of each dielectric layer is about a fourth of a wavelength of the target optical frequency in the layer. The metal nanoscale layer is configured to host a fluorophore such that an S polarized emission from the fluorophore at the target optical frequency propagates out of the substrate perpendicular to the plurality of dielectric layers.

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 enhanced fluorescence include a functionalized substrate for a target optical frequency comprising a one dimensional photonic crystal that is functionalized with a bioactive target molecule that has an affinity for a particular analytic. The one dimensional photonic crystal includes a plurality of dielectric layers including a plurality of high index of refraction layers alternating with a plurality of low index of refraction layers. The thickness of each layer is within a factor of four of a wavelength of the optical frequency in the layer. For emissions from a fluorophore bound to the target molecule and excited by incident light, there is an emission intensity maximum centered at an angle independent of the direction of the incident light.

Abstract: Techniques for enhanced fluorescence include a Tamm substrate for a target optical frequency comprising a metal nanoscale layer deposited on a Bragg grating. The Bragg grating includes multiple dielectric layers including multiple high index of refraction layers alternating with multiple low index of refraction layers. The dielectric layers are parallel to the metal nanoscale layer; and, the thickness of each dielectric layer is about a fourth of a wavelength of the target optical frequency in the layer. The metal nanoscale layer is configured to host a fluorophore such that an S polarized emission from the fluorophore at the target optical frequency propagates out of the substrate perpendicular to the plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay including a surface having silver colloids or islands attached thereto. Attached to the surface and/or silver colloids/islands are polynucleotides which are complimentary to a target polynucleotide sequence. The assay is performed by adding the target polynucleotide sequence to the assay surface and allowing it to hybridize with the capture polynucleotides. Fluorophore-labeled capture polynucleotides are added and hybridize to the target polynucleotide. Bound target polynucleotides are detected by metal enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: Quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compounds are described, which are sensitive to glucose and fructose, as well as a variety of other physiologically important analytes, such as aqueous chloride and iodide, and a method of using the compounds. Also disclosed is a contact lens doped with the quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compound, and a method of using the doped contact lens to measure the concentration of analyte in tears under physiological conditions.

Abstract: Quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compounds are described, which are sensitive to glucose and fructose, as well as a variety of other physiologically important analytes, such as aqueous chloride and iodide, and a method of using the compounds. Also disclosed is a contact lens doped with the quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compound, and a method of using the doped contact lens to measure the concentration of analyte in tears under physiological conditions.

Abstract: Quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compounds are described, which are sensitive to glucose and fructose, as well as a variety of other physiologically important analytes, such as aqueous chloride and iodide, and a method of using the compounds. Also disclosed is a contact lens doped with the quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compound, and a method of using the doped contact lens to measure the concentration of analyte in tears under physiological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay including a surface having silver colloids or islands attached thereto. Attached to the surface and/or silver colloids/islands are polynucleotides which are complimentary to a target polynucleotide sequence. The assay is performed by adding the target polynucleotide sequence to the assay surface and allowed to hybridize with the capture polynucleotides. Fluorophore-labeled capture polynucleotides are added and hybridize to the target polynucleotide. Bound target polynucleotides are detected by metal enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for imaging subwavelength structures in three dimensions and with high resolution. The methods comprise illuminating subwavelength structures with an illuminating wavelength of light and detecting the self-image generated thereby at a distance distal to the structures. Also provided is a method for confining propagating light to a sub-diffraction limit dimension by illuminating a surface of a metal structure with subwavelength features with a wavelength of coherent light such that light propagating from the features is confined to a dimension that is a sub-diffraction limit thereof.

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: Quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compounds are described, which are sensitive to glucose and fructose, as well as a variety of other physiologically important analytes, such as aqueous chloride and iodide, and a method of using the compounds. Also disclosed is a contact lens doped with the quaternary nitrogen heterocyclic boronic acid-containing compound, and a method of using the doped contact lens to measure the concentration of analyte in tears under physiological conditions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing the fluorescence intensity of molecules are provided. In particular, compositions and methods directed to increasing the intrinsic fluorescence of biomolecules and low quantum yield fluorophores are described. The intrinsic fluorescence of biomolecules is increased by positioning a metal particle and a biomolecule at a distance apart sufficient to increase the radiative decay rate of the biomolecule. Methods for the identification of nucleic acids are also provided. The compositions and methods can also be used to increase the emission of any fluorophore, such as the extrinsic probes used to label biomolecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyanide detection method using fluorescence and cyanide sensitive boronic acid containing fluorophores, wherein a change in a measured fluorescent property correlates to the concentration of the cyanide compound in a biological or environmental test sample.