Abstract: The invention presents a stationary phase for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture. The stationary phase includes a solid phase divided into a plurality of zones for transporting liquid by capillary force. The solid phase includes at least one first zone suitable for receiving a liquid sample, a second zone on which a receptor is immobilized, wherein the receptor is suitable for binding to a ligand, and a third zone on which quantum dots are immobilized, function as FRET donors and are linked to at least one suitable FRET acceptor via at least one oligonucleotide linker. The stationary phase exhibits improved detection sensitivity and allows simultaneous and multiparametric detection of a wide variety of analytes. The invention proposes uses of the stationary phase and also presents a method for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture.

Abstract: The invention presents a stationary phase for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture. The stationary phase includes a solid phase divided into a plurality of zones for transporting liquid by capillary force. The solid phase includes at least one first zone suitable for receiving a liquid sample, a second zone on which a receptor is immobilized, wherein the receptor is suitable for binding to a ligand, and a third zone on which quantum dots are immobilized, function as FRET donors and are linked to at least one suitable FRET acceptor via at least one oligonucleotide linker. The stationary phase exhibits improved detection sensitivity and allows simultaneous and multiparametric detection of a wide variety of analytes. The invention proposes uses of the stationary phase and also presents a method for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture.

Abstract: This disclosure employs the combination of a microfluidics platform and drop-based digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) to create a breakthrough technology that enables the detection of CTC genes and the isolation of single CTCs from the blood. In the first method, cDNA molecules from lysed CTCs are amplified in microfluidic drops and detected via fluorescence signal. In the second method, intact single CTCs are encapsulated, and amplification-positive drops are sorted from the remaining cells. To demonstrate the clinical utility of our technology, mutations in the KRAS gene in colorectal cancer are analyzed to study resistance to EGFR-based treatment as a test case. The methods herein present robust techniques for both the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, as well as for the obtainment of a pure CTC sample from billions of other cells in the blood.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups is disclosed. First, a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, wherein the surface of the nanoparticle comprises a plurality of first active groups. Next, a plurality of functional ligands are provided, wherein the functional ligand comprises at least one second active group and at least one third active group. Then, a binding process is performed to bind the nanoparticle with the functional ligand, wherein the first active group connects with the second active group. After the binding process, a separation process is performed to isolate a plurality of nanoparticles with a controlled number of the third active groups. The controlled number is integers from 0 to 10.