Chemiluminescent nanoparticles and uses thereof

A kit for detecting a bacterium or virus in a sample comprising:

• a light-shielding container having a fiberoptic cable for transmitting light generated within said light-shielding container to a photodetector;
• a support located within said light-shielding container, said support having a sample application region, a test region, and a control region;
• a plurality of first functionalized nanoparticles deposited in solid form on or within said sample application region of said support, wherein said first functionalized nanoparticles comprise nanoparticles covalently attached to a chemiluminescent moiety and a first oligonucleotide probe capable of selectively hybridizing to bacterium or virus nucleic acids;
• a plurality of second particles functionalized with a second oligonucleotide probe capable of selectively hybridizing to said bacterium or virus nucleic acids, said second particles immobilized on or within said test region of said support;
• a plurality of third particles functionalized with a third oligonucleotide probe capable of selectively hybridizing to said first oligonucleotide probe, said third particles immobilized on or within said control region of said support;
• and
• a reagent system which causes said chemiluminescent moiety to produce light in the presence of said reagent system and said first functionalized nanoparticles.

A method for detecting blood in a sample comprising:

• providing support having a plurality of functionalized nanoparticles deposited on or within support in solid form, wherein said functionalized nanoparticles comprise nanoparticles covalently attached to a chemiluminescent moiety;
• contacting said sample with said functionalized nanoparticles in the presence of a reagent system having an oxidant and a base;
• determining whether light is generated when said functionalized nanoparticles are contacted with said sample in the presence of said reagent system;
• wherein generated light is an indication that the sample contains blood.

A method for detecting a target bacterium or virus in a sample comprising:

• providing support having a plurality of first functionalized nanoparticles deposited on or within support in solid form, wherein said functionalized nanoparticles comprise nanoparticles covalently attached to a chemiluminescent moiety and a first oligonucleotide probe capable of selectively hybridizing to target bacterium or virus nucleic acids;
• flowing said sample along said support such that the first oligonucleotide probe of the functionalized nanoparticle selectively hybridizes to said target bacterium or virus nucleic acid to form a hybridized functionalized nanoparticle if the target bacterium or virus nucleic acid is present in said sample;
• contacting said sample in the presence of a reagent system having an oxidant, a base, and a metal catalyst;
• determining whether light is generated when said sample is contacted with a reagent system;
• wherein generated light is an indication that the sample contains the target bacterium or virus nucleic acid.