Abstract: The invention relates to an optical method for detecting at least one target molecule (TM) contained in a sample at a determined concentration, which comprises: (a) bringing a sample containing the TM into contact, in a liquid medium, with a solution containing nanoparticles (NPs), the surface of the NPs having been coated or functionalised with at least one type of specific bioreceptor (BR) of the target molecule to be detected (NP-BR), such that the BRs specifically recognise the TM, thus forming conjugates of the NP-BRs with the TMs (NP-BR-TMs); (b) separating the nanoparticles conjugates (NP-BR-TMs and/or NP-BRs) formed in the previous step; (c) bringing the nanoparticles conjugates (NP-BR-TMs and/or NP-BRs) into contact with a sensor surface of an optical transducer that operates by means of reflection and/or transmission, the response of which is based on optical interference, the sensor surface being functionalised by immobilising thereon: (i) the target molecule (TM) or (ii) at least one specific bior

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing allergy in a human or animal patient, wherein the level of species-specific lipocalin, especially lipocalin 2 in a human patient, is measured in a sample of said patient and wherein a lowered level of said lipocalin compared to the level of said lipocalin in the corresponding sample of a human or animal that has no allergy, is indicative of an allergy, as well as a kit for performing this method, and a kit for quality control of allergen molecules or extracts used for immunotherapy of allergy by determining its siderophore-iron ligand load and thus immunomodulatory potency. Further, lipocalin proteins for use in treatment or prevention of allergies are provided, preferably complexed with siderophore-iron ligands.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing allergy in a human or animal patient, wherein the level of species-specific lipocalin, especially lipocalin 2 in a human patient, is measured in a sample of said patient and wherein a lowered level of said lipocalin compared to the level of said lipocalin in the corresponding sample of a human or animal that has no allergy, is indicative of an allergy, as well as a kit for performing this method, and a kit for quality control of allergen molecules or extracts used for immunotherapy of allergy by determining its siderophore-iron ligand load and thus immunomodulatory potency. Further, lipocalin proteins for use in treatment or prevention of allergies are provided, preferably complexed with siderophore-iron ligands.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing allergy in a human or animal patient, wherein the level of species-specific lipocalin, especially lipocalin 2 in a human patient, is measured in a sample of said patient and wherein a lowered level of said lipocalin compared to the level of said lipocalin in the corresponding sample of a human or animal that has no allergy, is indicative of an allergy, as well as a kit for performing this method, and a kit for quality control of allergen molecules or extracts used for immunotherapy of allergy by determining its siderophore-iron ligand load and thus immunomodulatory potency. Further, lipocalin proteins for use in treatment or prevention of allergies are provided, preferably complexed with siderophore-iron ligands.