Abstract: The invention broadly relates techniques for imaging and medical diagnosis and, more particularly, to the fabrication of flexible plasmonic gratings and the use thereof in detection of biomarkers. A first aspect of the invention provides for techniques for the fabrication of novel, flexible plasmonic gratings that can be inexpensively fabricated onto fiber optic cables, flexible films and substrates with non-uniform surfaces to enhance the imaging resolution. A second aspect of the invention provides for an ultra¬high sensitivity (single molecule counting) biomarker detection platform useable for medical diagnosis based on a fluorescent sandwich ELISA assay performed on a plasmonic grating platform incorporated with a fluorescence detection unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides collagen bioink compositions and chemically uncrosslinked and crosslinked collagen structures including collagen microparticles and scaffolds. Also provided are methods of their fabrication and use. Applications for using these collagen structures include treatments of damaged tissue, particularly those caused by osteoarthritis.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a treatment composition comprising a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles functionalized with surface amine groups and a crosslinking composition comprising genipin. The disclosure also describes a kit comprising the treatment composition, and instructions for using the kit to crosslink the nanoparticles to a tissue graft. The treatment composition and kit can be used to crosslink nanoparticles to a tissue graft, and the resulting tissue graft can be used to replace defective tissue in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention broadly relates techniques for imaging and medical diagnosis and, more particularly, to the fabrication of flexible plasmonic gratings and the use thereof in detection of biomarkers. A first aspect of the invention provides for techniques for the fabrication of novel, flexible plasmonic gratings that can be inexpensively fabricated onto fiber optic cables, flexible films and substrates with non-uniform surfaces to enhance the imaging resolution. A second aspect of the invention provides for an ultra¬high sensitivity (single molecule counting) biomarker detection platform useable for medical diagnosis based on a fluorescent sandwich ELISA assay performed on a plasmonic grating platform incorporated with a fluorescence detection unit.

Abstract: Provided are nanograting structures and methods of fabrication thereof that allow for stable, robust gratings and nanostructure embedded gratings that enhance electromagnetic field, fluorescence, and photothermal coupling through surface plasmon or, photonic resonance. The gratings produced exhibit long term stability of the grating structure and improved shelf life without degradation of the properties such as fluorescence enhancement. Embodiments of the invention build nanograting structures layer-by-layer to optimize structural and optical properties and to enhance durability.

Abstract: Provided are nanograting structures and methods of fabrication thereof that allow for stable, robust gratings and nanostructure embedded gratings that enhance electromagnetic field, fluorescence, and photothermal coupling through surface plasmon or, photonic resonance. The gratings produced exhibit long term stability of the grating structure and improved shelf life without degradation of the properties such as fluorescence enhancement. Embodiments of the invention build nanograting structures layer-by-layer to optimize structural and optical properties and to enhance durability.

Abstract: Provided are nanograting structures and methods of fabrication thereof that allow for stable, robust gratings and nanostructure embedded gratings that enhance electromagnetic field, fluorescence, and photothermal coupling through surface plasmon or, photonic resonance. The gratings produced exhibit long term stability of the grating structure and improved shelf life without degradation of the properties such as fluorescence enhancement. Embodiments of the invention build nanograting structures layer-by-layer to optimize structural and optical properties and to enhance durability.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising collagen covalently bound to particles, wherein covalent bonds are formed between reactive groups of the collagen and reactive groups of the particles, and wherein the particles have an average particle diameter ranging from 20 to 1000 nanometers. Also disclosed are various methods that utilize the compositions.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising collagen covalently bound to particles, wherein covalent bonds are formed between reactive groups of the collagen and reactive groups of the particles, and wherein the particles have an average particle diameter ranging from 20 to 1000 nanometers. Also disclosed are various methods that utilize the compositions.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising collagen covalently bound to particles, wherein covalent bonds are formed between reactive groups of the collagen and reactive groups of the particles, and wherein the particles have an average particle diameter ranging from 20 to 1000 nanometers. Also disclosed are various methods that utilize the compositions.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.