Abstract: Methods for plasmonic nanoparticle assisted detection of target analytes are provided including methods of plasmonic nanoparticle assisted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a fluidics device. For example, a digital microfluidics (DMF) system is provided that includes a DMF device (or cartridge) in which the methods of plasmonic nanoparticle assisted ELISA may be performed. The disclosed methods for detecting target analytes include measuring an optically detectable change caused by one or a combination of etching, growth, aggregation, or altered interparticle distance of plasmonic particles in the vicinity of a target analyte-capture biomolecule complex in response to a product or byproduct generated by enzyme-substrate reactions. In the methods, the amount of enzyme-substrate reactions is proportional to the number of target analytes bound to the capture biomolecules.

Abstract: A delivery device for a active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders, such as cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for transport and uptake of the delivery device into targeted cells. The degree of crosslinking can provide a desired release profile of the active agent at, near or inside the target cells. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a cross linker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A novel substrate-bound DNAzyme complex is provided comprising a DNAzyme bound to a nucleic acid-based substrate. The DNAzyme comprises a pair of binding arms which hybridize to binding regions on the substrate, and a catalytic domain between the binding arms. The nucleic acid-based substrate comprises a phosphorothioate-modified ribonucleotide cleavage site between the binding regions of the substrate. The catalytic domain of the DNAzyme catalyzes heavy metal-dependent cleavage of the substrate cleavage site. The DNAzyme complex is useful in a method of heavy metal sensing. A novel cadmium-selective DNAzyme is also described for cadmium sensing.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: This specification describes a nanoparticle delivery agent for drugs such as chemotherapy drugs. Starch nanoparticles are internally crosslinked by a phosphate crosslinker such as sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) using a phase inversion emulsion process. The particle size may be in the range of 80-500 nm. A wide variety of organic phosphates are present apart from the phosphodiester crosslinking. These included triphosphates, monophosphates and diphosphates. The nanoparticles are hydrogels and retain significant amounts of water when dispersed in solution possibly due to the electrostatic repulsion between the chains within the nanoparticle. The nanoparticles are, in general, non-toxic, for example to HeLa cancer cells. The nanoparticles display a high drug loading, with a maximum seen with about 20-40 mol % STMP. Drug release occurs more readily at lower pH. Exposure to typical cell culture environments induces significant release of drug compared to simple buffer environments.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A novel substrate-bound DNAzyme complex is provided comprising a DNAzyme bound to a nucleic acid-based substrate. The DNAzyme comprises a pair of binding arms which hybridize to binding regions on the substrate, and a catalytic domain between the binding arms. The nucleic acid-based substrate comprises a phosphorothioate-modified ribonucleotide cleavage site between the binding regions of the substrate. The catalytic domain of the DNAzyme catalyzes heavy metal-dependent cleavage of the substrate cleavage site. The DNAzyme complex is useful in a method of heavy metal sensing. A novel cadmium-selective DNAzyme is also described for cadmium sensing.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for synthesizing protocells for use in targeted delivery of cargo components to cancer cells. In one embodiment, the lipid bilayer can be fused to the porous particle core to form a protocell. The lipid bilayer can be modified with targeting ligands or other ligands to achieve targeted delivery of cargo components that are loaded within the protocell to a target cell, e.g., a type of cancer. Shielding materials can be conjugated to the surface of the lipid bilayer to reduce undesired non-specific binding.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for synthesizing protocells for use in targeted delivery of cargo components to cancer cells. In one embodiment, the lipid bilayer can be fused to the porous particle core to form a protocell. The lipid bilayer can be modified with targeting ligands or other ligands to achieve targeted delivery of cargo components that are loaded within the protocell to a target cell, e.g., a type of cancer. Shielding materials can be conjugated to the surface of the lipid bilayer to reduce undesired non-specific binding.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for synthesizing protocells for use in targeted delivery of cargo components to cancer cells. In one embodiment, the lipid bilayer can be fused to the porous particle core to form a protocell. The lipid bilayer can be modified with targeting ligands or other ligands to achieve targeted delivery of cargo components that are loaded within the protocell to a target cell, e.g., a type of cancer. Shielding materials can be conjugated to the surface of the lipid bilayer to reduce undesired non-specific binding.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for synthesizing protocells for use in targeted delivery of cargo components to cancer cells. In one embodiment, the lipid bilayer can be fused to the porous particle core to form a protocell. The lipid bilayer can be modified with targeting ligands or other ligands to achieve targeted delivery of cargo components that are loaded within the protocell to a target cell, e.g., a type of cancer. Shielding materials can be conjugated to the surface of the lipid bilayer to reduce undesired non-specific binding.

Abstract: A delivery device for a active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders, such as cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for transport and uptake of the delivery device into targeted cells. The degree of crosslinking can provide a desired release profile of the active agent at, near or inside the target cells. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a cross linker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments provide protocell nanostructures and methods for constructing and using the protocell nanostructures. In one embodiment, the protocell nanostructures can include a core-shell structure including a porous particle core surrounded by a shell of lipid bilayer(s). The protocell can be internalized in a bioactive cell. Various cargo components, for example, drugs, can be loaded in and released from the porous particle core of the protocell(s) and then delivered within the bioactive cell.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments provide protocell nanostructures and methods for constructing and using the protocell nanostructures. In one embodiment, the protocell nanostructures can include a core-shell structure including a porous particle core surrounded by a shell of lipid bilayer(s). The protocell can be internalized in a bioactive cell. Various cargo components, for example, drugs, can be loaded in and released from the porous particle core of the protocell(s) and then delivered within the bioactive cell.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aptamer-based colorimetric sensor system for determining the presence and optionally the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Methods of utilizing the sensor system and kits that include the sensor also are provided. The sensor utilizes a linker and oligonucleotide functionalized particles to form an aggregate, which disaggregates in response to the analyte.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A nucleic acid enzyme responsive to copper, comprising an oligonucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the nucleic acid enzyme is not self-cleaving.

Abstract: A nucleic acid enzyme comprises an oligonucleotide containing thymine bases. The nucleic acid enzyme is dependent on both Hg2+and a second ion as cofactors, to produce a product from a substrate. The substrate comprises a ribonucleotide, a deoxyribonucleotide, or both.