Abstract: Fluorescence-based techniques are the cornerstone of modern biomedical optics with applications ranging from bioimaging at various scales (organelle to organism) to detection and quantification of a wide variety of biological species of interest. However, feeble fluorescence signal remains a persistent challenge in meeting the ever-increasing demand to image, detect and quantify biological species of low abundance. Disclosed herein are simple and universal methods based on a flexible and conformal elastomeric film adsorbed with plasmonic nanostructures, referred to as “plasmonic skin” or “plasmonic patch”, that provide large and uniform enhancement of fluorescence on a variety of surfaces, through an “add-on-top” process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing and preserving biological samples are disclosed herein. A method comprises contacting a preserving agent with a biological sample to form a mixture, wherein the preserving agent is selected from at least one of a metal-organic framework (MOF) encapsulant or a precursor forming a MOF encapsulant, and wherein the biological sample comprises at least one target analyte. A system comprises a preserving agent selected from at least one of a metal-organic framework (MOF) encapsulant or a precursor forming a MOF encapsulant; and a substrate configured to receive a drop cast mixture of the preserving agent and a biological sample, wherein the biological sample comprises at least one target analyte.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to microneedle patches for direct sampling and ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluids. The microneedle patches are comprised of polymers with high protein absorption capability (e.g. polystyrene) and are modified with capture biorecognition elements that are specific to target analytes in the interstitial fluid (ISF). Systems and methods are further provided for detection of a target ISF analyte obtained by in vivo sampling of the ISF using a microneedle patch.

Abstract: A photothermal distillation membrane including a polydopamine (PDA) coated, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing same. A photothermal aerogel membrane including a polydopamine (PDA)-containing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is also disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing same.

Abstract: Fluorescence-based techniques are the cornerstone of modern biomedical optics with applications ranging from bioimaging at various scales (organelle to organism) to detection and quantification of a wide variety of biological species of interest. However, feeble fluorescence signal remains a persistent challenge in meeting the ever-increasing demand to image, detect and quantify biological species of low abundance. Disclosed herein are simple and universal methods based on a flexible and conformal elastomeric film adsorbed with plasmonic nanostructures, referred to as “plasmonic skin” or “plasmonic patch”, that provide large and uniform enhancement of fluorescence on a variety of surfaces, through an “add-on-top” process.

Abstract: A photothermal distillation membrane comprising a tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-trichlorosilane (FTCS) fluoro-silanized, polydopamine (PDA) coated, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing a FTCS-PDA-PVDF membrane. A tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-trichlorosilane (FTCS) fluoro-silanized, polydopamine (PDA) containing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) aerogel membrane is also disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing a FTCS-PDA/BNC aerogel membrane.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and kits for performing plasmon-enhanced fluoro-dot assays. These assays enable observing a correlation between a chemical stimulus and a biological response of cultured cells in vitro.

Abstract: Natural and/or synthetic antibodies for specific proteins are adhered to nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are adhered to a substrate and the substrate is exposed to a sample that may contain the specific proteins. The substrates are then tested with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the specific protein in the sample.

Abstract: Natural and/or synthetic antibodies for specific proteins are adhered to nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are adhered to a substrate and the substrate is exposed to a sample that may contain the specific proteins. The substrates are then tested with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the specific protein in the sample.

Abstract: Fluorescence-based techniques are the cornerstone of modern biomedical optics with applications ranging from bioimaging at various scales (organelle to organism) to detection and quantification of a wide variety of biological species of interest. However, feeble fluorescence signal remains a persistent challenge in meeting the ever-increasing demand to image, detect and quantify biological species of low abundance. Disclosed herein are simple and universal methods based on a flexible and conformal elastomeric film adsorbed with plasmonic nanostructures, referred to as “plasmonic skin” or “plasmonic patch”, that provide large and uniform enhancement of fluorescence on a variety of surfaces, through an “add-on-top” process.

Abstract: Fluorescence-based techniques are the cornerstone of modern biomedical optics with applications ranging from bioimaging at various scales (organelle to organism) to detection and quantification of a wide variety of biological species of interest. However, feeble fluorescence signal remains a persistent challenge in meeting the ever-increasing demand to image, detect and quantify biological species of low abundance. Disclosed herein are simple and universal methods based on a flexible and conformal elastomeric film adsorbed with plasmonic nanostructures, referred to as “plasmonic skin” or “plasmonic patch”, that provide large and uniform enhancement of fluorescence on a variety of surfaces, through an “add-on-top” process.

Abstract: Self-sterilizing filtration materials are disclosed that include at least one polydopamine-functionalized layer. The at least one polydopamine-functionalized layer is configured to heat to a sterilization temperature when illuminated by light with a light intensity. The self-sterilizing filtration materials may be included in a filtering respirator mask. Methods of sterilizing filtration materials and filtering respirator masks containing at least one polydopamine-functionalized layer by exposing to sunlight are also disclosed. In addition, methods of producing a self-sterilizing filtering respirator mask by polydopamine-functionalizing at least one layer of the filtration material in an existing filtering respirator mask.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluorescent nanoconstruct that includes a plasmonic nanostructure having at least one localized surface plasmon resonance wavelength (?LSPR), at least one spacer coating, at least one fluorescent agent having a maximum excitation wavelength (?EX), and wherein the fluorescent nanoconstruct has a fluorescent intensity that is at least 500 times greater than a fluorescent intensity of the at least one fluorescent agent alone.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to assays for detecting at least one of a SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody, a SARS-COV-2 specific immunoglobulin, and a monoclonal response to single linear neutralizing epitopes within SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, wherein the assay includes a plasmonic-fluor. The assays include multiplexed and ultrafast assays.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to refreshable biosensors and methods for synthesizing and refreshing same. In some embodiments, the refreshable biosensor comprises a plasmonic nanoparticle and a biorecognition element, wherein the biorecognition element is encapsulated with at least one of an organosilica polymer layer or a metal organic framework (MOF).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to microneedle patches for direct sampling and ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluids. The microneedle patches are comprised of polymers with high protein absorption capability (e.g. polystyrene) and are modified with capture biorecognition elements that are specific to target analytes in the interstitial fluid (ISF). Systems and methods are further provided for detection of a target ISF analyte obtained by in vivo sampling of the ISF using a microneedle patch.

Abstract: A photothermal distillation membrane comprising a tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-trichlorosilane (FTCS) fluoro-silanized, polydopamine (PDA) coated, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing a FTCS-PDA-PVDF membrane. A tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-trichlorosilane (FTCS) fluoro-silanized, polydopamine (PDA) containing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) aerogel membrane is also disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing a FTCS-PDA/BNC aerogel membrane.

Abstract: Natural and/or synthetic antibodies for specific proteins are adhered to nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are adhered to a substrate and the substrate is exposed to a sample that may contain the specific proteins. The substrates are then tested with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the specific protein in the sample.

Abstract: Fluorescence-based techniques are the cornerstone of modern biomedical optics with applications ranging from bioimaging at various scales (organelle to organism) to detection and quantification of a wide variety of biological species of interest. However, feeble fluorescence signal remains a persistent challenge in meeting the ever-increasing demand to image, detect and quantify biological species of low abundance. Disclosed herein are simple and universal methods based on a flexible and conformal elastomeric film adsorbed with plasmonic nanostructures, referred to as “plasmonic skin” or “plasmonic patch”, that provide large and uniform enhancement of fluorescence on a variety of surfaces, through an “add-on-top” process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing and preserving biological samples are disclosed herein. A method comprises contacting a preserving agent with a biological sample to form a mixture, wherein the preserving agent is selected from at least one of a metal-organic framework (MOF) encapsulant or a precursor forming a MOF encapsulant, and wherein the biological sample comprises at least one target analyte. A system comprises a preserving agent selected from at least one of a metal-organic framework (MOF) encapsulant or a precursor forming a MOF encapsulant; and a substrate configured to receive a drop cast mixture of the preserving agent and a biological sample, wherein the biological sample comprises at least one target analyte.