Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide artificial expression systems comprising multivalent transcription factor complexes for cooperative transcription factor assembly and modulating gene expression. More specifically, engineered synthetic transcription factors are recruited and structurally organized on synthetic gene circuits using molecular clamps, where the strength of intra-complex interactions can be modulated for fine tuning of gene expression as desired.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to methods, kits, and compositions for detecting a target nucleic acid, such as a viral RNA.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide artificial expression systems comprising multivalent transcription factor complexes for cooperative transcription factor assembly and modulating gene expression. More specifically, engineered synthetic transcription factors are recruited and structurally organized on synthetic gene circuits using molecular clamps, where the strength of intra-complex interactions can be modulated for fine tuning of gene expression as desired.

Abstract: Multi-medicament infusion systems prevent cross-channeling of medicaments. A system may include one or more of an infusion pump, medicament reservoirs, a multi-channel fluid conduit, and an infusion set. Medicament reservoirs and/or collars may be sized and shaped differently such that the medicament reservoirs can only be inserted into the system under selected configurations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds, compositions, and methods for inhibiting drug-efflux pumps. The compounds, compositions, and methods can be used for enhancing the activity of therapeutic agents that are efflux pump substrates and for the treatment of drug-resistant diseases or disorders, such as microbial infections and cancers.

Abstract: Systems and methods implement of high-speed delay scanning for spectroscopic SRS imaging characterized by scanning a first pulsed beam across a stepwise reflective surface (such as a stepwise mirror or a reflective blazed grating) in a Littrow configuration to generate near continuous temporal delays relative to a second pulsed beam. Systems and methods also implement deep learning techniques for image restoration of spectroscopic SRS images using a trained encoder-decoder convolution neural network (CNN) which in some embodiments may be designed as a spatial-spectral residual net (SS-ResNet) characterized by two parallel filters including a first convolution filter on the spatial domain and a second convolution filter on the spectral domain.

Abstract: A system and method of effectively measuring a change in a gradient of a magnetic field. The systems include a first magnet and a second magnet mechanically coupled together and aligned along a polarization axis. The first magnet and the second magnet are positioned such that a pair of like magnetic poles of the first magnet and the second magnet face in opposite directions. Further, the first magnet and the second magnet are configured to move along the polarization axis in response to a magnetic field. A sensing system is configured to measure a change in a gradient of the magnetic field based on the movement of the first magnet and second magnet along the polarization axis in response to the magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing photothermal dynamic imaging. An exemplary method includes: scanning a sample to produce a plurality of raw photothermal dynamic signals; receiving the raw photothermal dynamic signals of the sample; generating a plurality of second signals by matched filtering the raw photothermal dynamic signals to reject non-modulated noise; and performing an inverse operation on the second signals to retrieve at least one thermodynamic signal in a temporal domain.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides, systems, and methods that relate to using domains that bind specifically to a biotinylamide to control receptor and cellular activity.

Abstract: A tapered fiber optoacoustic emitter includes a nanosecond laser configured to emit laser pulses and an optic fiber. The optic fiber includes a tip configured to guide the laser pulses. The tip has a coating including a diffusion layer and a thermal expansion layer, wherein the diffusion layer includes epoxy and zinc oxide nanoparticles configured to diffuse the light while restricting localized heating. The thermal expansion layer includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) configured to convert the laser pulses to generate ultrasound. The frequency of the ultrasound is tuned with a thickness of the diffusion layer and a CNT concentration of the expansion layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyamine transport inhibitors (PTI) and methods of use as antivirals. Disclosed PTI compounds are useful as treatments for viral infections or can be used as prophylactic agents that protect high risk individuals from becoming infected by the virus. The disclosed PTI compounds can be used alone or in combination with other agents (or other antivirals) to improve patient outcomes such as DFMO (or Remdesivir).

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to inducible and repressible polypeptides and polypeptide systems. In particular, described herein are split sequence-specific nucleases and split recombinases that are linked to drug-inducible or drug-repressible dimerization domains. In some embodiments, the polypeptides comprise sequestering domains and/or have their expression controlled by an inducible promoter. In multiple aspects described herein are polynucleotides, vectors, cells, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polypeptides or polypeptide systems. Also described herein are methods of using said polypeptide systems to modulate the expression of a target polypeptide or to treat a subject in need of a cell therapy.

Abstract: A method and device for visualizing a sample having a tissue section embedded in a solid material are provided. The method and device include applying an incident light to the tissue section embedded in the solid material. The tissue section embedded in the solid material is disposed on a layered structure configured to reduce optical back reflection at an interface between the tissue section embedded in the solid material and the layered structure. The incident light passes through the tissue section embedded in the solid material and the layered structure with reduced reflection at each of the interfaces such that visualizing one or more artifacts from reflecting the incident light from surfaces of the tissue section embedded in the solid material is reduced.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods to improve treatment of chronic infections, and reduce, delay, or inhibit formation of biofilms, using specific combinations of aminoglycoside antibiotics and treatment with one or more proton motive force (PMF) stimulating compounds. These novel methods are easily adapted to clinical settings as toxicity and efficacy of the antibiotics and metabolites used have already been studied in vivo, and as dosing for both the antibiotics and metabolites are known.

Abstract: A glucose control system employs adaptation of a glucose target (set-point) control variable in controlling delivery of insulin to a subject to maintain euglycemia. The glucose target adapts based on trends in actual glucose level (e.g., measured blood glucose in the subject), and/or computed doses of a counter-regulatory agent such as glucagon. An adaptation region with upper and lower bounds for the glucose target may be imposed. Generally the disclosed techniques can provide for robust and safe glucose level control. Adaptation may be based on computed doses of a counter-regulatory agent whether or not such agent is actually delivered to the subject, and may be used for example to adjust operation in a bihormonal system during periods in which the counter-regulatory agent is not available for delivery.

Abstract: The methods and assays described herein relate to detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer, e.g., by detecting the level of expression of certain miRNAs described herein and/or by therapeutically increasing the level of those miRNAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating a stiffened joint in a subject that comprise administering relaxin, e.g., a PEGylated relaxin-2, to the subject. The relaxin may be administered intra-articularly as a sustained release formulation. The present invention also provides sustained release formulations in the form of a hydrogel for administering polypeptides that are covalently attached to a polymer, e.g., PEG.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to compositions comprising components of multi-component CALs or CARs, e.g., a TCR recognition domain; and one or both of: (a) an intracellular signaling domain; and (b) a first-type protein interaction domain. Further provided herein are methods for treating or preventing an autoimmune disease, a transplant rejection, or graft versus host disease.

Abstract: An example photoacoustic system for neurostimulation includes a light producing device for producing light of a specific wavelength. At least one nanotransducer is binded on a surface of a neuron. The nanotransducer converts the light with the specific wavelength into at least one acoustic wave at or near the neuron.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to polypeptide systems using drug-controlled peptide docking domains and cognate docking domain-binding peptides and their use to control cellular signaling, activity, and/or gene expression.