Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanosensor of miRNA activity in a target cell, and methods of use, for detection and diagnostic applications. The nanosensor comprises a delivery particle comprising an iron oxide crystal coated with a polymer, and a sensor oligonucleotide covalently attached to the polymer. The sensor oligonucleotide comprises a seed region, comprising a nucleic acid sequence that is completely complementary to the target miRNA and comprises a cleavage site which can be engaged and cleaved by the target miRNA. The senor oligonucleotide also comprises two non-seed regions that each flank the seed region and are each comprised of a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the target miRNA to promote hybridization of the sensor oligonucleotide to the target miRNA, and members of a quencher-fluorophore pair. The quencher fluorophore pair members respectively flank the cleavage site and are separated by a distance that permits significant quenching of emitted fluorescent signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles including a radiolabel, a chelator that is covalently linked to the therapeutic nanoparticle and to the radiolabel, and a nucleic acid molecule that is covalently linked to the therapeutic nanoparticle. The therapeutic nanoparticle has a diameter between about 10 nanometers (nm) to about 30 nm, and the therapeutic nanoparticle is magnetic. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject. Also provided herein are methods of detecting, diagnosing, and/or monitoring a metastatic cancer tissue in a subject. Also provided herein are methods of preparing these therapeutic nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents nanoparticle compositions for use in the treatment, prevention, or imaging of a disease (e.g., cancer), methods of treating, preventing, or imaging a disease in a subject in need thereof with the nanoparticle compositions, and methods of preparing the nanoparticle compositions of the disclosure. The nanoparticle compositions can include a magnetic nanoparticle ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, or a combination thereof, and a dextran coating functionalized with one or more amine groups.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treating cancer, e.g., pancreatic cancer, that use nanoparticles linked to inhibitory nucleic acids, e.g., siRNAs, targeting an immune checkpoint molecule, e.g., programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1).

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles having a diameter of between 10 nm to 30 nm, and containing a polymer coating, and a nucleic acid containing a sequence complementary to a sequence within a micro-RNA identified as having a role in cancer cell metastasis or anti-apoptotic activity in a cancer cell (e.g., miR-10b) or a sequence within an mRNA encoding a pro-apoptotic protein that is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanosensor of miRNA activity in a target cell, and methods of use, for detection and diagnostic applications. The nanosensor comprises a delivery particle comprising an iron oxide crystal coated with a polymer, and a sensor oligonucleotide covalently attached to the polymer. The sensor oligonucleotide comprises a seed region, comprising a nucleic acid sequence that is completely complementary to the target miRNA and comprises a cleavage site which can be engaged and cleaved by the target miRNA. The sensor oligonucleotide also comprises two non-seed regions that each flank the seed region and are each comprised of a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the target miRNA to promote hybridization of the sensor oligonucleotide to the target miRNA, and members of a quencher-fluorophore pair. The quencher fluorophore pair members respectively flank the cleavage site and are separated by a distance that permits significant quenching of emitted fluorescent signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanosensor of miRNA activity in a target cell, and methods of use, for detection and diagnostic applications. The nanosensor comprises a delivery particle comprising an iron oxide crystal coated with a polymer; and a sensor oligonucleotide covalently attached to the polymer. The sensor oligonucleotide comprises a seed region, comprising a nucleic acid sequence that is completely complementary to the target miRNA and comprises a cleavage site which can be engaged and cleaved by the target miRNA.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles having a diameter of between 10 nm to 30 nm, and containing a polymer coating, and a nucleic acid containing a sequence complementary to a sequence within a micro-RNA identified as having a role in cancer cell metastasis or anti-apoptotic activity in a cancer cell (e.g., miR-10b) or a sequence within an mRNA encoding a pro-apoptotic protein that is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles having a diameter of between 10 nm to 30 nm, and containing a polymer coating, and a nucleic acid containing a sequence complementary to a sequence within a micro-RNA identified as having a role in cancer cell metastasis or anti-apoptotic activity in a cancer cell (e.g., miR-10b) or a sequence within an mRNA encoding a pro-apoptotic protein that is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles having a diameter of between 10 nm to 30 nm, and containing a polymer coating, and a nucleic acid containing a sequence complementary to a sequence within a micro-RNA identified as having a role in cancer cell metastasis or anti-apoptotic activity in a cancer cell (e.g., miR-10b) or a sequence within an mRNA encoding a pro-apoptotic protein that is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanosensor of miRNA activity in a target cell, and methods of use, for detection and diagnostic applications. The nanosensor comprises a delivery particle comprising an iron oxide crystal coated with a polymer; and a sensor oligonucleotide covalently attached to the polymer. The sensor oligonucleotide comprises a seed region, comprising a nucleic acid sequence that is completely complementary to the target miRNA and comprises a cleavage site which can be engaged and cleaved by the target miRNA.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to determining the zinc score in a sample obtained from a subject, e.g. for treating a subject for prostate cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles having a diameter of between 10 nm to 30 nm, and containing a polymer coating, and a nucleic acid containing a sequence complementary to a sequence within a micro-RNA identified as having a role in cancer cell metastasis or anti-apoptotic activity in a cancer cell (e.g., miR-10b) or a sequence within an mRNA encoding a pro-apoptotic protein that is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic nanoparticles having a diameter of between 10 nm to 30 nm, and containing a polymer coating, and a nucleic acid containing a sequence complementary to a sequence within a micro-RNA identified as having a role in cancer cell metastasis or anti-apoptotic activity in a cancer cell (e.g., miR-10b) or a sequence within an mRNA encoding a pro-apoptotic protein that is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic nanoparticles. Also provided herein are methods of decreasing cancer cell invasion or metastasis in a subject having a cancer and methods of treating a metastatic cancer in a lymph node in a subject that require the administration of these therapeutic nanoparticles to a subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for using a zinc sensor compound to detect a disease associated with the disruption of zinc homeostasis, such as prostate cancer. The zinc sensor compound comprises an optical reporter having two or more recognition units where each of the recognition units is capable of associating with at least one zinc ion.

Abstract: A gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticle, method of making thereof, and method of using thereof is disclosed. The nanoparticle is substantially toxin free (making it clinically applicable), easily functionalized, and can serve as a contrast agent for a number of imaging techniques, including imaging a subject in at least two distinct imaging modes. Further, the nanoparticle is well-suited for therapeutic uses.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting an analyte in a solution or compound mixture use colorimetric detection to detect the quantity of an analyte in the solution or compound. The analyte sensor demonstrates a clear change in peak light absorption wavelength as a function of the stoichiometric relationship between the analyte sensor and the analyte. The method involves combining the analyte sensor and the analyte in solution and observing a color change of the mixture. Additionally, predefined amounts of the analyte sensor can be added until color change is detected and the quantity of analyte can be determined as a function of the total amount of analyte sensor in the mixture. Alternatively, a device having multiple wells or compartments, each with a different concentration of the analyte sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for using a zinc sensor compound to detect a disease associated with the disruption of zinc homeostasis, such as prostate cancer. The zinc sensor compound comprises an optical reporter having two or more recognition units where each of the recognition units is capable of associating with at least one zinc ion.

Abstract: A gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticle, method of making thereof, and method of using thereof is disclosed. The nanoparticle is substantially toxin free (making it clinically applicable), easily functionalized, and can serve as a contrast agent for a number of imaging techniques, including imaging a subject in at least two distinct imaging modes. Further, the nanoparticle is well-suited for therapeutic uses.