University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc

The General Hospital Corporation

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Menon Biosensors, Inc.

Menon & Associates, Inc.

J Manuel Perez

Santimukul Santra

Charalambos Kaittanis

David Edward Newman

Ralph Weissleder

Suresh M Menon

Lee Josephson

Sudip Nath

Terry J Henderson

Atul Asati

Saleh Naser

Santimukal Santra

A method of making a hyperbranched amphiphilic polyester compound includes drying under vacuum a mixture of 2-(4-hydroxybutyl)-malonic acid and p-toluene sulphonic acid as catalyst. The vacuum is then released with a dry inert gas after drying. The dried mixture is heated under the inert gas at a temperature sufficient for polymerization. The inert gas is evacuated while continuing to heat the mixture. The formed polymer is then dissolved in dimethylformamide and precipitated out by adding methanol. Modifications of the method yield nanoparticles of polyesters having properties suited for coencapsulating fluorescent dyes together with therapeutic drugs, resulting in theranostic nanoparticles, that is, nanoparticles useful in both therapeutic treatments and diagnostic methods.

Synthesis of hyperbranched amphiphilic polyester and theranostic nanoparticles thereof

A system and method are provided to detect target analytes based on magnetic resonance measurements. Magnetic structures produce distinct magnetic field regions having a size comparable to the analyte. When the analyte is bound in those regions, magnetic resonance signals from the sample are changed, leading to detection of the analyte.

Magnetic resonance system and method to detect and confirm analytes

Disclosed herein are methods and materials for facilitating the detection of nucleic acid analytes of interest. Specifically exemplified herein are methods for detecting mycobacterial microorganisms, namelyspp.. Also disclosed is new hybridizing magnetic relaxation nanosensor (hMRS) particularly adapted to detect a target nucleic acid analyte of interest.

Microbe detection via hybridizing magnetic relaxation nanosensors

A method of testing bacterial cells for antimicrobial susceptibility includes preparing a suspension of the bacterial cells in a non-nutrient medium, mixing with the suspension an antimicrobial, a carbohydrate usable by the bacterial cells, metallic nanoparticles, and a lectin, and incubating the mixture while monitoring a parameter of the nanoparticles responsive to use of the carbohydrate by the bacterial cells. More broadly stated, the invention includes a method of testing an agent for its effect on cell metabolism by preparing a suspension of cells in a non-nutrient medium, mixing the suspension with the agent, adding a carbohydrate usable by the cells, metallic nanoparticles, and a lectin with binding specificity for the added carbohydrate, and monitoring a nanoparticle parameter responsive to the cells.

Nanoparticle-mediated methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria

Methods, systems, compositions include biocompatible polymer coated nanoceria that function as aqueous redox catalyst with enhanced activity at an acidic to moderately alkaline pH value between 1 and 8. The compositions are used as oxidizing agents for decomposition, decontamination or inactivation of organic contaminants, such as, pesticides and chemical warfare agents. Another use includes nanoceria as targetable nanocatalyst prepared by conjugating various targeting ligands to the nanoparticle coating to form a colorimetric or fluorescent probe in immunoassays and other molecule binding assays that involve the use of a molecule in solution that changes the color of the solution or emits a fluorescent signal, where localization of nanoceria to organs or tissue is assessed by treatment with an oxidation sensitive dye or other detection devices. Versatility and uses of the nanoceria compositions are controlled by pH value, choice of dye substrate and thickness of the polymer coating on the ceria nanoparticles.

Oxidase activity of polymeric coated cerium oxide nanoparticles

The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Magnetic-nanoparticle conjugates and methods of use

Disclosed are nanoparticles having a metallic core consisting essentially of superparamagnetic iron oxide; a polymeric coat surrounding said core, the coat having a matrix of polyacrylic acid and forming an outer periphery of said nanoparticle; a plurality of hydrophobic pockets formed by the polymeric coat; a plurality of carboxylic groups along an outer periphery of the polymeric coat and effective to conjugate with a predetermined targeting ligand which functionalizes the nanoparticle; a lipophylic fluorescent dye encapsulated in the plurality of hydrophobic pockets; and a drug encapsulated in the plurality of hydrophobic pockets. Associated methods of making the nanoparticles and of treatments using the nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Orlando, FL, United States of America

J Manuel Perez