Abstract: This invention relates to nanofibers comprising aptamers, which have increased stability and activity relative to free aptamers. The invention further relates to kill-switch nanofibers which disrupt the aptamer nanofibers. The invention further relates to methods of using the aptamer nanofibers and the kill-switch nanofibers to regulate the activity of extracellular targets recognized by the aptamers.

Abstract: Provided is a highly multiplex approach to disease condition diagnostics that combines nanopore sensing and nucleic acid nanoparticle (NANP) design and synthesis to detect multiple biomarkers to diagnose diseases. The system works by taking a sample containing biomarkers that is mixed with a plurality of nucleic acid nanoparticle (NANP) populations, with each population designed and synthesized to be able to detect a particular biomarker. Upon incubation, the mixture is used with nanopore measurements, with recordings of the ionic current through the nanopore. The ionic current recordings are analyzed, which determines the presence and/or concentration of biomarkers in the sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, such a method comprises disposing a population of luminescent species in a test sample, exposing the test sample to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the luminescent species, detecting light emitted by the luminescent species within a detection region of the test sample, and correlating the light emitted by the luminescent species within the detection region to a presence or absence of an analyte within the test sample. The luminescent species, in a non-aggregated state, exhibits luminescence blinking and, in an aggregated state, does not exhibit luminescence blinking. Additionally, correlating the light emitted by the luminescent species to the presence or absence of the analyte comprises determining whether the light emitted by the luminescent species within the detection region is blinking luminescence or non-blinking luminescence.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, such a method comprises disposing a population of luminescent species in a test sample, exposing the test sample to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the luminescent species, detecting light emitted by the luminescent species within a detection region of the test sample, and correlating the light emitted by the luminescent species within the detection region to a presence or absence of an analyte within the test sample. The luminescent species, in a non-aggregated state, exhibits luminescence blinking and, in an aggregated state, does not exhibit luminescence blinking. Additionally, correlating the light emitted by the luminescent species to the presence or absence of the analyte comprises determining whether the light emitted by the luminescent species within the detection region is blinking luminescence or non-blinking luminescence.

Abstract: The instant invention provides RNA nanocubes, DNA nanocubes and R/DNA chimeric nanocubes comprising one or more functionalities. The multifunctional RNA nanocubes are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use in a number of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The instant invention provides RNA nanoparticles and R/DNA chimeric nanoparticles comprising one or more functionalities. The multifunctional RNA nanoparticles are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use in a number of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: Provided is a highly multiplex approach to disease condition diagnostics that combines nanopore sensing and nucleic acid nanoparticle (NANP) design and synthesis to detect multiple biomarkers to diagnose diseases. The system works by taking a sample containing biomarkers that is mixed with a plurality of nucleic acid nanoparticle (NANP) populations, with each population designed and synthesized to be able to detect a particular biomarker. Upon incubation, the mixture is used with nanopore measurements, with recordings of the ionic current through the nanopore. The ionic current recordings are analyzed, which determines the presence and/or concentration of biomarkers in the sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, such a method comprises disposing a population of luminescent species in a test sample, exposing the test sample to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the luminescent species, detecting light emitted by the luminescent species within a detection region of the test sample, and correlating the light emitted by the luminescent species within the detection region to a presence or absence of an analyte within the test sample. The luminescent species, in a non-aggregated state, exhibits luminescence blinking and, in an aggregated state, does not exhibit luminescence blinking. Additionally, correlating the light emitted by the luminescent species to the presence or absence of the analyte comprises determining whether the light emitted by the luminescent species within the detection region is blinking luminescence or non-blinking luminescence.

Abstract: The instant invention provides RNA nanocubes, DNA nanocubes and R/DNA chimeric nanocubes comprising one or more functionalities. The multifunctional RNA nanocubes are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use in a number of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The instant invention provides polyvalent RNA nanoparticles comprising RNA motifs as building blocks that can form RNA nanotubes. The polyvalent RNA nanoparticles are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use in a number of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating RNA nanoparticles having modified nucleotides and/or having increased nuclease resistance where the RNA nanoparticles are formed cotranscriptionally by T7 RNA polymerase in the presence of manganese ions.

Abstract: The instant invention provides RNA nanoparticles and R/DNA chimeric nanoparticles comprising one or more functionalities. The multifunctional RNA nanoparticles are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use in a number of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: Auto-recognizing therapeutic R/DNA chimeric nanoparticles (R/DNA NP) are described that are pairs of DNA/RNA hybrids where the DNA molecules have complementary toehold sequences that promote the re-association of the R/DNA NPs when mixed resulting in the formation of RNA/RNA duplexes that act as siRNAs.

Abstract: The invention provides for therapeutic RNA switches comprising oligonucleotide sequences complementary to a trigger sequence, an antisense strand oligonucleotide, and a sense strand oligonucleotide complementary to a target nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating RNA nanoparticles having modified nucleotides and/or having increased nuclease resistance where the RNA nanoparticles are formed cotranscriptionally by T7 RNA polymerase in the presence of manganese ions.

Abstract: Auto-recognizing therapeutic R/DNA chimeric nanoparticles (R/DNA NP) are described that are pairs of DNA/RNA hybrids where the DNA molecules have complementary toehold sequences that promote the re-association of the R/DNA NPs when mixed resulting in the formation of RNA/RNA duplexes that act as siRNAs.

Abstract: The instant invention provides polyvalent RNA nanoparticles comprising RNA motifs as building blocks that can form RNA nanotubes. The polyvalent RNA nanoparticles are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use in a number of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of paranemic crossover motifs for RNA self-assembly, and the use of those self-assembled complexes to carry out analytical methods, and as a basis for the creation of sensors. The invention includes RNA monomeric units comprising an RNA having a binding domain that is adapted to self-assemble paranemically so as to form an RNA complex with another RNA, the binding domain of the RNA monomeric unit comprising an aptameric portion bound to a fluorophore. The invention also includes RNA complexes comprising a target RNA molecule and at least one of these monomeric units which self-assemble paranemically so as to form the RNA complex comprising an aptameric portion. The invention also includes derivatives of these complexes including aptamers, and analytical methods and devices using same.