Abstract: The present invention relates to a population of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles with a diameter between 1 and 100 nm which are coated with a layer with hydrophilic end groups. Herein the layer with hydrophilic end groups comprises an inner layer of monosaturated and/or monounsaturated fatty acids bound to said nanoparticles and bound to said fatty acids, an outer layer of a phospholipid conjugated to a monomethoxy polyethyleneglycol (PEG) comprising a hydrophilic end group, or comprises a covalently bound hydrophilic layer bound to said nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method and composition for hyperthermally diagnosing and monitoring treatment of cells with photoacoustic sound and nanoparticles. The heat (temperature) and photoacoustic sound wave production inside the target tissue is measured. The desired temperature is achieved using a laser and photoacoustic imaging technique. Hyperthermia treatment of tissue applies a heat source to kill cells without protein denaturation. The hyperthermia treatment may further comprise platelet-derived treatment. The method introduces an encapsulated dye that is released at a selected temperature in the target site to indicate that a threshold temperature has been reached to hyperthermally treat the tissue. The temperature to which the target site is treated ranges from about 39° C. to about 58° C., and may last from about 5 seconds to about 30 minutes. The composition which can be a liposome composition encapsulating the dye can be introduced to the bloodstream to flow through the target site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanofibers. In particular, the present invention provides aligned nanofiber bundle assemblies. In some embodiments, the aligned nanofiber bundle assemblies are used for tissue regeneration, controlled growth of cells, and related methods (e.g., diagnostic methods, research methods, drug screening).

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA loaded gold nanoparticles embedded in sharp carbonaceous carriers useful for higher DNA delivery efficiently into plants. These nanogold embedded carbon matrices are prepared by heat treatment of biogenic intracellular gold nanoparticles. The DNA delivery efficiency is tested on model plants. These materials reveal good dispersion of the transport material, producing a greater number of GUS foci per unit area. The added advantages of the composite carrier are the lower plasmid and gold requirements. Plant cell damage with the prepared carbon supported particles is very minimal and can be gauged from the increased plant regeneration and transformation efficiency compared to that of the commercial micrometer sized gold particles. This can be attributed to the sharp edges that the carbon supports possess, which lead to better piercing capabilities with minimum damage.

Abstract: A graft containing a scaffold that includes a matrix in which are positioned mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) has the capacity to substantially improve wound healing, including wounds resulting from injury to nerve, bone and vascular tissue. MPCs can be harvested from debrided muscle tissue following orthopaedic trauma. The traumatized muscle-derived progenitor cells are a readily available autologous cell source that can be utilized to effect or improve wound healing in a variety of therapeutic settings and vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of measuring electrical properties of a cell using electrode devices comprising tapered nanotips having submicrometer dimensions (“nanoelectrodes”) for insertion into a cell. The devices are used to measure electrical properties of the cell and, optionally, may be used to electroporate, the cell or subcellular structures within the cell. The invention also provides arrays of electrode devices having nanotips for simultaneously or sequentially measuring the electrical properties of cells (e.g., such as surface immobilized cells). The electrodes can be used to measure properties of ion channels and in HTS assays to identify drugs which affect the properties of ion channels. The invention additionally provides microfluidic systems adapted for use with the electrode devices having nanotips. In combination with the electrodes, the microfluidic systems provide cell-based biosensors for monitoring cellular responses to conditions, such as exposure to candidate drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoluminescent particles. The particles include a core nano-sized particle of carbon and a passivation agent bound to the surface of the nanoparticle. The passivation agent can be, for instance, a polymeric material. The passivation agent can also be derivatized for particular applications. For example, the photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles can be derivatized to recognize and bind to a target material, for instance a biologically active material, a pollutant, or a surface receptor on a tissue or cell surface, such as in a tagging or staining protocol.

Abstract: A negative differential resistance (NDR) device, and methods of making and using the NDR device. The NDR device includes a substrate comprising a conductor material or a semi-conductor material and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) that includes a first electroactive moiety and a spacer moiety disposed on the substrate that defines a barrier between the electroactive moiety and the substrate, wherein the NDR device exhibits negative differential resistance in the presence of a varying applied voltage. Also provided are NDR in multilayers in which the peak to valley ratio of the NDR response can be controlled by the number of layers; modulation of NDR using binding groups to one of the electrical contacts or to the electroactive moiety itself; and NDR devices that display multiple peaks in the current-voltage curve that contain electroactive moieties that have multiple low potential electrochemical oxidations and/or reductions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process using biological method for the preparation of immobilized nano-particles of metals. Fungi are used to efficiently prepare immobilized nano-particles of various metals ions such as Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, Ni, Rh and Ru from their aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A method for producing a cell culture substrate to which cells adhere in a finely processed pattern while retaining the pattern for a long period of time to culture the cells and a production apparatus used in the production method. The method includes: forming a patterning substrate by forming: on a base material, a light shielding portion, and a cell adhesive layer having adhesion to a cell and containing a cell adhesive material which is decomposed or denatured by an action of a photocatalyst upon energy irradiation so as to cover the light shielding portion; an energy irradiating process of irradiating energy to the patterning substrate from the base material side to form a pattern; and a cell adhesion process of making the cell adhere to the cell adhesion portion in a cell culture medium containing the cell and a culture medium.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes the use of fluorinated elastomer-based materials, in particular perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based materials, in high-resolution soft or imprint lithographic applications, such as micro- and nanoscale replica molding, and the first nano-contact molding of organic materials to generate high fidelity features using an elastomeric mold. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter describes a method for producing free-standing, isolated nanostructures of any shape using soft or imprint lithography technique.