As new biomarkers and relationships among biomarkers for diseases are identified, the demand for highly sensitive and multiplexed detection increases. The goal of this study is to take advantage of the unique properties of nanoparticles to advance biomedical sensor systems of various bio- and environmental markers. Among the various detection signals, fluorescence is a major focus since it can be readily used as a research tool. More importantly, fluorescent dyes have unique interactions with nanoparticles. For example, when fluorophores are in close proximity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), 99.8% of fluorescence is quenched. Fluorophores can be released from the AuNP surface for an enhanced “on” fluorescence signal. The fluorophore-AuNP interaction has been adapted for use as an in vivo imaging probe for drug screening and protease activity.
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