Nanoprobes, Inc.

Vishwas N Joshi

James F Hainfeld

Richard D Powell

Wenqiu Liu

Frederic R Furuya

Edmund Gutierrez

A test agent includes a composite probe having at least one nanoparticle having multiple metal atoms, a directing agent, and an enzyme. The directing agent attaches the probe to a target in a test sample. The test sample and bound probe are then treated with an enzyme substrate. A method of detecting a target in a test sample includes exposing the test sample to the probe, then treating the test sample with an enhancement or development solution to deposit at least one of a fluorophore, a chromogen, or a metal.

Detecting a target using a composite probe comprising a directing agent, a metal nanoparticle and an enzyme

Disclosed embodiments concern site-specific, enzymatic-directed deposition of elemental metal for in-situ analysis. Enzyme substrates are contacted with metal ions and subsequently direct the deposition of elemental metals. Sensitive and selective detection of target molecules, such as biomarkers in various biological samples, can be obtained using various methods, such as in-situ chromogenic immunohistochemical (IHC) detection with bright field light microscopy.

Method for detecting a target using enzyme directed deposition of elemental metal

Novel metal-lipid molecules have the formula M-Or-L. M represents a cluster or colloid of atoms of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, or combinations thereof. Or is an organic group covalently attached to the metal atoms. L represents a lipid moiety. In a preferred embodiment, M represents a cluster of about 50-70 gold atoms having a diameter of about 1.4 nm in diameter and L represents dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

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East Setauket, NY, United States of America

Vishwas N Joshi