University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated

The United States Government As Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Weihong Tan

Peng Zhang

Swadeshmukul Santra

Jon Paul Dobson

Rovelyn Tapec

Christopher D Batich

Gregory Scott Schultz

Daniel J Gibson

Priscilla Lorraine Phillips

John I Azeke

Chaoyong Yang

Rovelyn Tapec Dytioco

I-Ting Teng

Lin Wang

Olajompo B Moloye

Jin Shouguang

Xiaojun Zhao

Timothy James Drake

Lisa Renee Hilliard

Hamad Yadikar

Xiaowei Li

Ka W Wang

Jon Dobson

DNA aptamers that bind to tau protein at its phosphorylatable sites are identified. These disclosed DNA aptamers not only recognize tau at specific phosphorylatable sites, but also demonstrate inhibitory effects on phosphorylation and oligomer formation of tau protein. Molecular probes based on these disclosed DNA aptamers can be used as capture or detection agents to detect the levels of tau and phosphor-tau in cerebrospinal fluid as well as for cell-based or in vivo brain imaging in live animals or human. Compositions comprising these disclosed DNA aptamers can be used to arrest or treat the progression of tauopathy associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Tau protein-binding DNA aptamers with capture/detection and therapeutic utilities in tauopathy-related neurodegenerative disorders

An oligonucleotide-based molecular probe includes at least one pin loop, the pin loop including a loop sequence complementary to a target sequence. A first stem sequence is attached to one end of the pin loop, the first stem having at least one fluorescent label attached thereto. A second stem sequence is attached to the other end of the pin loop. The second stem has a plurality of quencher molecules attached thereto.

Multi-acceptor molecular probes and applications thereof

The subject invention provides novel devices and methods for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples.

Devices for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples

The present invention provides multiple-luminophore silica nanoparticles for multiplexed signaling in bioanalysis. In specific embodiments, two inorganic luminophores, Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)osmium(II) bis(hexafluorophosphate) (OsBpy) and Tris(2,2&#x2032;-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) hexahydrate (RuBpy), or three organic luminophores 5-Fluorescein isothiocyanate (5-FITC), 5-carboxyrhodamine 6G, succinimidyl ester (5-CR6G, SE), 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine, succinimidyl ester (6-ROX, SE) can be simultaneously entrapped inside silica nanoparticles at controlled ratios, with desirable sizes and required surface functionality. Single-wavelength excitation with multiple emission endows the nanoparticles with optical encoding capability for rapid and high-throughput multiplexed detection.

Multiple component nanoparticles for multiplexed signaling and optical encoding

Silica-coated nanoparticles functionalized with biologically active molecules such as antibodies and nucleotides are used to label cells, to detect and isolate nucleic acid molecules having specific nucleotide sequences, and to separate a mixture of different nucleic acid molecules.

Functionalized nanoparticles and methods of use

Disclosed are silica-coated nanoparticles and a process for producing silica-coated nanoparticles. Silica-coated nanoparticles are prepared by precipitating nano-sized cores from reagents dissolved in the aqueous compartment of a water-in-oil microemulsion. A reactive silicate is added to coat the cores with silica. Also disclosed are methods for functionalizing silica-coated nanoparticles for use in a variety of applications.

Method of making nanoparticles

Method for identifying cells

Coated nanoparticles

Growing community of inventors

Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Weihong Tan