Abstract: In the present invention, a method of producing stable bare colloidal gold nanoparticles is disclosed. The nanoparticles can subsequently be subjected to partial or full surface modification. The method comprises preparation of colloidal gold nanoparticles in a liquid by employing a top-down nanofabrication method using bulk gold as a source material. The surface modification of these nanoparticles is carried out by adding one or multiple types of ligands each containing functional groups which exhibit affinity for gold nanoparticle surfaces to produce the conjugates. Because of the high efficiency and excellent stability of the nanoparticles produced by this method, the fabricated gold nanoparticle conjugates can have surface coverage with functional ligands which can be tuned to be any percent value between 0 and 100%.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a compound comprising an acetylated carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Ac) covalently linked to: at least one poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and at least one hydrophobic drug. In another aspect, a self-assembling nanoparticle composition comprising such compounds is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible fluorescence photoswitch based on the dye-crosslinked dendritic nanoclusters for high-contrast imaging of living biological systems. The dendritic nanocluster according to the present invention consists of two or more dendrimers crosslinked each other to have a globular shape overall, and thereby enhancing the fluorescence intensity and improving the detection sensitivity of the monomeric dendrimers. In addition, the dendritic nanocluster according to the present invention was found to internalize into a living zebrafish by both skin permeation and microinjection, independently. Further, the dendritic nanocluster according to the present invention showed low toxicity and thus it could be useful for both in vivo and in vitro imaging as well as the ex vivo cell tracking applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanocluster compositions and uses thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to gadolinium-linked nanocluster compositions and their use in diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The nanocluster compositions of the invention are effective in enhancing the payload of a gadolinium and thereby increasing the longitudinal relaxivity of each particle in the cluster.

Abstract: The present invention is a chemical composition to detect and treat amyloid in a patient's brain or a retina, that include a nanoparticle or a Nano biopolymer delivery platform to deliver any combination of gadolinium, one or more contrast agents, one or more therapeutics and curcumin to mark said amyloid and a polymalic acid scaffold.

Abstract: Particles are bioactivated by attaching bioactivation peptides to the particle surface. The bioactivation peptides are peptide-based compounds that impart one or more biologically important functions to the particles. Each bioactivation peptide includes a molecular or surface recognition part that binds with the surface of the particle and one or more functional parts. The surface recognition part includes an amino-end and a carboxy-end and is composed of one or more hydrophobic spacers and one or more binding clusters. The functional part(s) is attached to the surface recognition part at the amino-end and/or said carboxy-end.

Abstract: A T1 blood pool contrast agent comprising very small iron oxide nanoparticles are coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based ligands. Core size and length of the PEG chain were optimized according to stability, relaxometric properties, cytotoxicity and unspecified cell uptake.

Abstract: Nanocarriers and methods of preparation and use of nanocarriers are presented. In some embodiments, a nanocarrier composition comprises an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein; and a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid. Biological tissue may be imaged or treated by coming into contact with a nanocarrier composition, and, at least in some embodiments, irradiated.

Abstract: A medical contrast agent made of microbubbles containing Au nanoclusters is provided. The shell of the microbubbles contains fluorescent Au nanocluster-albumin complex, and the core contains air or fluorocarbons. The method for preparing the microbubbles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention relates to creating a copper (Cu)-based nanoparticle and a method for making the same. The Cu-based nanoparticles can further be incorporated with additional therapeutic or diagnostic compounds and used for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aerosol comprising droplets of an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising insoluble therapeutic or diagnostic agent particles having a surface modifier on the surface thereof. There is also disclosed a method for making the aerosol and methods for treatment and diagnosis using the aerosol.

Abstract: Meditope variants and methods for their use are provided herein. A meditope variant as described herein comprises a peptide having a sequence CQFDLSTRRLKC (SEQ ID NO:1) or CQYNLSSRALKC (SEQ ID NO:2) that has one or more modifications at of least one amino acid residue of the sequence. Multivalent meditope variant tethering entities are also provided. Such entities may include two or more meditopes coupled via a long linker, multivalent scaffold, biotin-streptavidin, or IgG Fc domain. Further, methods of treating, imaging or diagnosing a disease or condition are provided. Such methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, the pharmaceutical compound comprising an antibody-meditope complex; a multivalent tethering agent in combination with a monoclonal antibody or functional fragment thereof; or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one biological tissue.

Abstract: A diagnostic agent composition is provided which comprises a nanoparticle composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The nanoparticle composition comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxide and a phosphorylated polyol, wherein the phosphorylated polyol comprises at least two phosphate groups and one or more hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of polyethylene ether moieties, polypropylene ether moieties, polybutylene ether moieties, and combinations of two or more of the foregoing hydrophilic moieties. The disclosure provides detailed guidance on methods of making and using such diagnostic agent compositions. The diagnostic agent compositions provided by the present invention are useful as contrast agents for medical diagnostic imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and X-ray imaging. The diagnostic agent composition may be administered to a subject via a variety of techniques, among them injection, inhalation, and ingestion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to particles (e.g., nanoparticles and microparticles) that display multiple functionalized surface domains in a controlled mosaic pattern. The disclosure also provides simple methods to create various particles that have multiple functionalized surface domains while allowing the use of a wide variety of diverse core structures. The multiple functionalized domains provide controllable particle binding and orientation, and controlled and sustained drug release profiles.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the thermal imaging of cells with nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention provides nanoparticles consisting of a polymer which is a metal chelating agent coated with a magnetic metal oxide, wherein at least one active agent is covalently bound to the polymer, said nanoparticles may optionally further comprise at least one active agent physically or covalently bound to the outer surface of the magnetic metal oxide. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these nanoparticles may be used, inter alia, for detection and treatment of tumors and inflammations.

Abstract: The invention provides a cancer therapeutic and imaging agent comprising a solution containing Gum Arabic coated 198Au nanoparticles. The Gum Arabic coated 198Au nanoparticles have been demonstrated experimentally shown to have a surprising efficacy for a single dose direct injection, reducing tumors in analog mice by 82% over a short period of time. The particles of the invention have a believed optimal size for therapy and imaging applications, and can be used as a theranostic agent in the treatment of needle accessible cancers. The invention also provides a method for forming Gum Arabic coated 198Au nanoparticles. A gold foil is irradiated to produce 198Au foil. The foil is dissolved to form radioactive gold salt. The salt is dried, and then reconstituted to form a 198Au nanoparticle precursor. The precursor is reduced with a reducing agent in an aqueous solution including Gum Arabic to form Gum Arabic coated 198Au nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligomeric or polymeric saccharide derivatives comprising glucosamine moieties, e.g. derivatives of oligomeric or polymeric glucosamines such as chitosan oligomers or polymers, in which one or more amine groups are substituted by anchoring groups that chemisorb to the surface of a nanoparticle or form an interdigitated bilayer with a surfactant layer surrounding the nanoparticle. The invention also relates to functionalized nanoparticles comprising such derivatives, a method for forming the functionalized particles and to uses thereof as molecular imaging agents, biosensing agents or drug delivery agents, or in the preparation of such agents.

Abstract: Functional nanoparticles may be formed using at least one nanoimprint lithography step. In one embodiment, sacrificial material may be patterned on a multilayer substrate including one or more functional layers between removable layers using an imprint lithography process. At least one of the functional layers includes a functional material such as a pharmaceutical composition or imaging agent. The pattern may be further etched into the multilayer substrate. At least a portion of the functional material may then be removed to provide a crown surface exposing pillars. Removing the removable layers releases the pillars from the patterned structure to form functional nanoparticles such as drug or imaging agent carriers.

Abstract: A method and system for luminescence molecular imaging or tomography of a region of interest in a scattering medium is disclosed. The system comprises a non-linear luminescent marker material arranged in the scattering medium. Contrast and resolution of the imaging or tomography is thus improved. The non-linear marker is for instance configured to upconvert incoming light of an illumination wavelength. The non-linear power dependence of the marker enables further improvement of the imaging by using images taken with two or more excitation beams simultaneously.

Abstract: Regions where metastatic cancer cells can exist are detected with high accuracy in a sentinel lymph node. Quantum dots are injected into the vicinity of a cancer in a living body, thereby identifying the location of the sentinel lymph node by means of fluorescence. Subsequently, the sentinel lymph node is extracted. With respect to the sentinel lymph node extracted with quantum dots injected, structural analysis is conducted by means of precision fluorescence measurement which uses a confocal fluorescence microscope for monomolecular observation. Specifically, the fluorescence intensity is measured with respect to each of multiple areas in the sentinel lymph nodes, and out of the multiple areas measured, one or more areas are detected as afferent lymph vessel inflow regions in descending order of fluorescence intensity.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to compositions and methods for imaging and treating atherosclerotic diseases, pathogen infections, and tumors by administering actively targeting magnetic nanoparticles. In particular, the present inventions provide new types of targeting ligands attached to magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging. The use of these targeted magnetic nanoparticles is contemplated as a means to treat atherosclerotic diseases, including but not limited to inhibiting and removing atherosclerotic plaques. Further, actively targeting magnetic nanoparticles are contemplated for use with multiple labels for use in nuclear medicine imaging, computed tomography (CT) techniques and other types of imaging for medical and research applications.

Abstract: Epithelial cancer screening can include a staining tissue with a cancer targeting agent, identifying a potentially cancerous lesion using fluorescence imaging, and imaging the potentially cancerous lesion for a cancer diagnosis using optical coherence tomography.

Abstract: The invention provides nanoparticle-loaded cells and compositions useful for improved imaging and therapy, for example radio-therapy. The invention also provides methods of manufacture of nanoparticle-loaded cells, methods of administering the nanoparticle-loaded cells, and methods for treatment and/or imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides targeted delivery compositions and their methods of use in treating and diagnosing a disease state in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are drug delivery systems and methods for extravascular administration of drug, vaccine, and/or diagnostic agents, for use in research and medical applications.

Abstract: This invention provides constructs comprising a protein scaffold, wherein the scaffold comprises Domain III, Domain IIIa, or Domain IIIb of human serum albumin or a polypeptide having substantial sequence identity to the Domain III, the Domain IIIa, or the Domain IIIb; and a targeting moiety in covalent linkage to the protein scaffold; and a therapeutic moiety and/or an imaging moiety in covalent linkage to the protein scaffold. The scaffold can be modified to tune the serum pharmacokinetics of the construct. In addition to methods of making the constructs, therapeutic, imaging and diagnostic uses of the constructs are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to yeast cell wall microparticles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted nanoparticle delivery. In particular, the present invention relates to trapping nanoparticles either on the surface or inside a yeast glucan particles, for example, yeast glucal particles. The present invention further relates to methods of making the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to methods of using the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted delivery of the nanoparticles, e.g., drug containing nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions in which nano-carriers are synthesized with polymers that respond to lower pH and/or ROS by being degraded. The compositions may be utilized to selectively deliver payloads within patients by responding to lower pH and/or ROS at localities within the patient. The present invention also features methods of synthesizing nano-carriers that are degraded by lower pH and/or ROS.

Abstract: The results presented herein demonstrate the specific expression of CCR3 in CNV endothelial cells in humans with AMD, and despite the expression of its ligands, eotaxin-1, -2, and -3, neither eosinophils nor mast cells are present in human CNV. The genetic or pharmacological targeting of CCR3 or eotaxins as disclosed herein inhibited injury-induced CNV in mice. CNV suppression by CCR3 blockade was due to direct inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, and was uncoupled from inflammation as it occurred in mice lacking eosinophils or mast cells and was independent of macrophage and neutrophil recruitment. CCR3 blockade was more effective at reducing CNV than vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) neutralization, which is currently in clinical use, and, unlike VEGF-A blockade, not toxic to the mouse retina. In vivo imaging with CCR3-targeting quantum dots located spontaneous CNV invisible to standard fluorescein angiography in mice before retinal invasion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a loaded particle comprising at least one fluorescent dye, and in particular, a fluorescent dye with a large Stokes shift. The invention further relates to a method for producing an loaded latex particle, loaded with a fluorescent dye having a large stokes shift. In addition, the present invention relates to latex particles loaded with fluorescent dyes that are organic solvent soluble and insoluble in water. In a preferred embodiment, when the dyes are loaded into the water soluble latex particle, an increase is observed in quantum yield of fluorescence as compared to the quantum yield of the dye in aqueous solvent.

Abstract: Nanostructures comprising radioisotopes and/or metals are provided. More particularly, in some embodiments, nanostructures comprising radioisotopes and/or metals, methods of their synthesis, and their use in cancer imaging and therapy are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to gold/lanthanide nanoparticle conjugates, such as gold/gadolinium nanoparticle conjugates, nanoparticle conjugates including polymers, nanoparticle conjugates conjugated to targeting agents and therapeutic agents, and their use in targeting, treating, and/or imaging disease states in a patient.

Abstract: Biodegradation kinetics of biodegradable porous objects, such as porous silicon objects, can be controlled by a molecular weight of polymer chains, such as polyethylene glycol chains, disposed on an outer surface of the object. Provided are biodegradable porous objects, which have their biodegradation kinetics controlled by a molecular weight of the disposed polymer chains. Also provided are methods of making such biodegradable porous objects as well as methods of using such biodegradable porous objects for delivery of active agents, such as therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents.

Abstract: Provided are a positively-charged superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION), a contrast agent using the same, and a method of preparing the same. The positively-charged SPION includes a SPION, a polymer layer including a polymer containing many carboxyl groups coated on a surface of the SPION, and a cationic material coupled via an amide bond to a surface of the polymer layer. Therefore, the SPION may be prepared in a simple and reproducible process to have hydrophilicity and a strong positive charge. The prepared positively-charged SPION may have high uptake into a cell and stability, and be used in various applications as an effective contrast agent through non-invasive in vivo imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microparticle and its use. The microparticle has a width of at least about 1 micron. The microparticle includes a biocompatible polymer, a nanoparticle, and an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various embodiments associated with artificial cells, particularly artificial antigen presenting cells, methods of making the same, methods of administering the same, computer systems relating thereto, computer-implemented methods relating thereto, and associated computer program products.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various embodiments associated with artificial cells, particularly artificial antigen presenting cells, methods of making the same, methods of administering the same, computer systems relating thereto, computer-implemented methods relating thereto, and associated computer program products.

Abstract: The present document relates to a manufacturing method for pH-sensitive graft polymer micelles and a polymer micelle-type pharmaceutical composition containing the graft copolymer. The pH-sensitive graft copolymer micelles are usable as various markers and contrast agents for various molecular images for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and a carrier for delivery of various medicines according to disease. The pH-sensitive graft copolymer forms micelles that can be used in target-oriented diagnosis and medicine release according to changes in the pH of a body. The polymer micelles are provided by inducing a graft copolymer of poly(?-amino ester) compounds which has a solubility in water depending on pH but is incapable of forming the micelles due to a self-assembly phenomenon, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) compounds.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging that is highly capable of binding to a target molecule and generates high photoacoustic signals. The present invention provides a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging represented by Formula 1: MNP?((L)l?(P)m)n ??(Formula 1) (wherein MNP represents a particle containing an iron oxide particle; L represents a linker molecule; P represents a ligand molecule; l represents 0 or 1; and m and n represent an integer of 1 or larger), the contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging including: a particle containing an iron oxide particle that absorbs light in a near-infrared region; and at least one or more ligand molecule(s) immobilized on the particle containing an iron oxide particle, wherein the immobilization density of the ligand molecule is equal to or higher than the cell surface density of a target molecule.

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: Biomedical nanoparticles are disclosed based on new engineered modular carrier macromolecules, on engineered macromolecules or associated entities providing an internal nanoparticle structure, and compositions for minimizing non-specific binding of the nanoparticles while enabling efficient and convenient targeting to cells and tissues. These nanoparticles may be used to deliver atomic or molecular or associated entities which are useful for diagnostics, primarily in vivo imaging, for therapeutics, for vaccines, or for experimental research. Nanoparticles comprising combinations of active entities such as gene inhibitors with gene expression cassettes or imaging agents with therapeutic agents, and polyamide compounds useful for treatment of microbial infections are also disclosed.

Abstract: An alloyed semiconductor quantum dot comprising an alloy of at least two semiconductors, wherein the quantum dot has a homogeneous composition and is characterized by a band gap energy that is non-linearly related to the molar ratio of the at least two semiconductors; a series of alloyed semiconductor quantum dots related thereto; a concentration-gradient quantum dot comprising an alloy of a first semiconductor and a second semiconductor, wherein the concentration of the first semiconductor gradually increases from the core of the quantum dot to the surface of the quantum dot and the concentration of the second semiconductor gradually decreases from the core of the quantum dot to the surface of the quantum dot; a series of concentration-gradient quantum dots related thereto; in vitro and in vivo methods of use; and methods of producing the alloyed semiconductor and concentration-gradient quantum dots and the series of quantum dots related thereto.

Abstract: Opsonizable micro- or nanoparticles, that contain at least one active agent, such as an imaging or therapeutic agent; that have a positive surface charge and that do not contain on their surface targeting ligands, such as antibodies, peptides or aptamers, can be used to treating and/or monitoring a condition associated with an inflammation, such as a cytokine stimulated inflammation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to imaging agents and drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Fluorescent activatable probes for imaging biological processes and disease detection in vitro and in vivo. There is also described a method for detecting the presence of an enzyme. A sample is contacted with a nanoparticle including a monomer, at least one cleavable spacer comprising at least one fluorescence activation site, and at least two dyes of at least two types. The cleavable spacer is attached at one end to the nanoparticle. The at least two types comprise an energy donor type and an energy acceptor type. At least one dye of one type is embedded in the nanoparticle and the cleavable spacer has at least one dye of the other type attached. The at least two dyes comprise at least one matched pair capable of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Fluorescence is detected by exposing the sample to a light source, and detecting emitted light with a detector.

Abstract: A universal drug delivery platform for monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics is described. This universal platform resolves the problems of immunogenic response associated with the present monoclonal antibody based therapeutics by providing a multifunctional nano-device which comprises a well defined core/shell nano-structure that can function as a drug delivery platform linked to a monoclonal antibody through a single linking group.

Abstract: The present invention provides symmetric carbocyanine dyes and dye precursors useful for fluorescence microscopy, and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: A nanoparticle including a polysiloxane base having an exterior surface and having a photosensitizer at least partly exposed at its exterior surface, said photosensitizer being secured to the exterior surface by loading the photosensitizer onto the surface after formation of the polysiloxane base of the nanoparticle. The nanoparticle may have tumor targeting moieties and may be post loaded with cyanine dye. The nanoparticle preferably includes post loaded moieties providing at least two of tumor specificity, photodynamic properties and imaging capabilities and the photosensitizer is tagged with a radioisotope. A method for preparation of the nanoparticle is also provided.