Kansas State University Research Foundation

Hongwang Wang

Stefan H Bossmann

Deryl L Troyer

Tej Shrestha

Aruni P Malalasekera

Xiuzhi Susan Sun

Matthew T Basel

Donghai Wang

Byungjun Kollbe Ahn

Thilani N Samarakoon

Madumali Kalubowilage

Sebastian O Wendel

Gaohong Zhu

Methods for detecting biomarkers of inflammation, infection, and/or bacterial activity in dairy production, which indicate issues with the milk itself or issues related to the health of the cow. The methods generally comprise contacting a milk sample with a nanoplatform assembly to create an assay solution, and detecting spectral changes in the assay solution that are triggered by enzymatic activity (when present) in the sample. The nanoplatform assembly comprises a first particle, a second particle, and a linkage therebetween, wherein the linkage comprises a protease consensus sequence (the sequence of amino acids cleaved by the protease), or an ester linkage (cleaved by a protease or lipase). A plurality of second particles can also be linked to the first particle. Test strips are also described, which undergo a visual color change in the presence of the target enzyme in the milk sample.

Nanosensors for detecting enzymatic activity in dairy production

A nanoplatform assembly for detection of arginase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, and/or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. The nanoplatform comprises an oligopeptide, which is used as a linker between two particles. More preferably, the linker is comprised of an oligopeptide containing a substrate for the target enzyme, where the substrate is chemically or physically modified by the target enzyme (but not cleaved). A central particle with a plurality of oligopeptide-tethered detectable particles and a plurality of directly attached detectable particles is described. Posttranslational modification of the oligopeptide leads to changes in the detectable signals from the first and/or second particles in the nanoplatform, which can be correlated to enzyme activity and concentration.

Nanoplatforms for arginase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase detection by posttranslational modification

Nanocatalysts and methods of using the same to obtain aromatic hydrocarbon compounds from a source of carbon atoms and a source of hydrogen atoms in a single reaction step is provided. The catalyst comprises an Fe/FeOnanocatalyst that may be supported on a non-reactive support material such as a zeolite or alumina COand Hare preferred sources of carbon and hydrogen atoms for the reaction. The aromatic hydrocarbon compounds produced are suitable for direct usage as fuel without need for further refining.

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Supramolecular assemblies for delivering active agents to cancerous or precancerous tissues in a subject are provided. These supramolecular assemblies are also useful in assays for detecting and imaging of cancerous and precancerous cells. The assemblies are protease-sensitive and comprise a peptide linkage containing a protease consensus sequence. The assemblies can be selectively targeted to cancerous tissue where the protease enzymes degrade the peptide linkage thereby releasing the active agents which were physically or mechanically contained in or retained by the supramolecular assembly.

Protease selective supramolecular assemblies

Superparmagnetic acid-functionalized nanoparticle catalysts are provided along with methods of using the same to protonate an oxygen atom of a carbon-oxygen bond. Particularly, the catalysts comprise a nanoparticle having a ferromagnetic core surrounded by a metal oxide shell. The nanoparticle is at least partially coated with an acid-functionalized siloxane compound. The acid-functionalized nanoparticles may be used to catalyze any number of reactions that can be catalyzed in the presence of protons. The ferromagnetic core permits the nanoparticle catalyst material to be separated from the reaction medium through application of a magnetic field and reused.

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Manhattan, KS, United States of America

Hongwang Wang