Other

The University of Waterloo

Frank Xiaofei Gu

Lyndon William James Jones

Paul Chen

Lyndon W Jones

Shengyan (Sandy) Liu

Stuart Andrew Linley

Mohit S Verma

Shengyan Liu

The present disclosure relates to a method for the direct detection of pathogen in a sample using unmodified metallic nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles. The method may employ colorimetric detection. The combination of unmodified metallic nanoparticles and colorimetric detection provides a method that is simple, rapid, and economical compared to prior art methods that require modified nanoparticles or expensive detection equipment. The method does not require labeling of the target pathogen and is capable of detecting a broad spectrum of pathogens.

Detection of pathogens using unmodified metal nanoparticles

The present disclosure relates generally to a mucoadhesive nanoparticle delivery system. The nanoparticles are formed from amphiphilic macromolecules conjugated to a mucosal targeting moiety in such a manner that the surface of the nanoparticle is coated with the targeting moiety. The surface density of the targeting moiety can be tuned for adjustable targeting of the nanoparticles to a mucosal site without substantially compromising the stability of the particles. The particles were found to have high loading efficiency and sustained release properties at the mucosal site. The present disclosure also relates to polymers and macromolecules useful in the preparation of the mucoadhesive nanoparticles, as well as compositions, methods, commercial packages, kits and uses related thereto.

Mucoadhesive nanoparticle delivery system

The disclosure is directed at a method of producing a recyclable photocatalytic particulate. The recyclable photocatalytic particulate includes metal oxide nanoparticles and electrically insulative magnetic particles which are amine functionalized and then added to a sheet of graphene oxide, preferably in solution. This combination is then hydrothermally treated to create covalent bonds between the metal oxide nanoparticles and the graphene oxide sheet and the electrically insulative controlled aggregates with the graphene oxide sheet.

Method and apparatus for producing recyclable photocatalytic particulates

Disclosed is a mucoadhesive nanoparticle delivery system for delivering an immunosuppressant, such as cyclosporine A, to a mucosal site for treatment of a disease or condition involving inflammation or excess immune activity. The system comprises nanoparticles formed from a plurality of linear amphiphilic block copolymers, each having a hydrophobic block comprising polylactide (PLA) and a hydrophilic block comprising dextran. The nanoparticles are surface-functionalized with a mucosal targeting moiety, such as a phenylboronic acid derivative, for targeted delivery and enhanced retention at the mucosal site. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods, and uses thereof comprising the mucoadhesive nanoparticle delivery system are disclosed. The compositions can be administered in an effective amount for treating the disease or condition while substantially preserving or restoring the function and/or integrity of the mucosal lining. The composition may be formulated as an aqueous suspension for administration to an anterior surface of the eye in the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Growing community of inventors

Kitchener, Canada

Frank Xiaofei Gu