Abstract: The present invention relates to a cost effective and single step process for rapid manufacturing of paper-based SERS substrates (100), wherein chitosan is used for direct in situ reduction of the metallic precursor solutions for production of metallic nanoparticles on the substrates. The crucial step in the process involves the incubation of the paper-based substrates under humidifying conditions at an elevated temperature for a predetermined duration. The metal nanoparticles thus produced are homogenously deposited over the paper-based substrate making the paper-based substrate suitable for SERS analysis. The paper-based substrate thus developed is cost-effective, flexible, easy to load and is demonstrated to have exceptional sensitivity with detection limits of up to 1 pM.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a kit and a novel method of extraction of a progesterone metabolite from feces/dung sample. The present invention also discloses a paper-based microfluidic device for detection of the progesterone metabolite for early determination of pregnancy in cattle and buffaloes. The invention further discloses antibodies developed against said metabolite, method of extraction, methods for fabricating the paper-based microfluidic devices and methods for inexpensive, rapid and non-invasive determination of pregnancy in early stages in cattle and buffaloes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cost effective and single step process for rapid manufacturing of paper-based SERS substrates (100), wherein chitosan is used for direct in situ reduction of the metallic precursor solutions for production of metallic nanoparticles on the substrates. The crucial step in the process involves the incubation of the paper-based substrates under humidifying conditions at an elevated temperature for a predetermined duration. The metal nanoparticles thus produced are homogenously deposited over the paper-based substrate making the paper-based substrate suitable for SERS analysis. The paper-based substrate thus developed is cost-effective, flexible, easy to load and is demonstrated to have exceptional sensitivity with detection limits of up to 1 pM.

Abstract: A multifunctional system in which a nanostructure (size range of about 10-1000 nm) degrades on exposure to an infection and its associated inflammatory milieu. The degraded nanostructures release the encapsulated drug during the process of degradation, where the kinetics of drug release is determined by the severity of the infection and inflammation. This degradation is triggered by proteases secreted by the pathogen, host polymorphonuclear leucocytes and other host cells. The nanostructures are conjugated to anti-TLR (Toll-like receptor) ligands for targeting the corneal epithelium and blocking the inflammatory pathway.