Abstract: Systems and methods for three-dimensional fluorescence polarization excitation that generates maps of positions and orientation of fluorescent molecules in three or more dimensions are disclosed.

Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.

Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.

Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.

Abstract: An optode has a planar radiation guiding medium having a first planar surface and a second planar surface and one or more perimeter surfaces bounded by the first and second planar surfaces. An excitation energy source of the optode is configured to output into the radiation guiding medium first energy at a wavelength selected to excite a fluorophore. The optode also includes a photodetector configured to image at least a portion of the first planar surface of the radiation guiding medium by detecting second energy transmitted through the radiation guiding medium.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods include the use of a molecular tweezers and/or nucleobase oligomer capable of inhibiting the accumulation or aggregation of one or more amyloidogenic proteins and/or synuclein proteins. Examples of treatments that may inhibit accumulation or aggregation of one or more amyloidogenic proteins and/or synuclein proteins include treatment with a synuclein antisense nucleobase oligomer or treatment with the molecular tweezers CLR01. These treatments may improve outcomes of spinal cord surgery or traumatic brain injury, including, without limitation, neuronal survival, neuronal regeneration, and recovery of neuronal functions.

Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.

Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing polymers from alkenone-producing algae, such as algae species of the Isochrysis family.

Abstract: A method of detecting exocytosis of a target molecule from a population of cells derived from a human subject, includes applying first and second electrical signals, each having a respective frequency, across the population of cells. Each of the first and second electrical signals being either an alternating current or an alternating voltage. The method includes measuring a first voltage change if the first electrical signal is an alternating current or measuring a first current change if the first electrical signal is an alternating voltage, and measuring a second voltage change if the second electrical signal is an alternating current or measuring a second current change if the second electrical signal is an alternating voltage. The method includes determining an electrical impedance of the population of cells, a change in that impedance indicating an amount of the target molecule released from the population of cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein relate to methods and systems for detecting exocytosis or endocytosis of a target molecule from or into a population of cells, in part based on impedance analysis of the population of cells after they are exposed to an alternating current applied at two or more frequencies or to a repetitive voltage waveform. In some embodiments, the methods and systems described herein can be used for assessing viability and/or potency of the population of cells, and/or identifying a secretagogue for the target molecule released from the population of cells.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing polymers from alkenone-producing algae, such as algae species of the Isochrysis family.

Abstract: A method of identifying the taxonomic or functional classification of cells in situ involves labeling the cells with a set of nucleic acid probes and performing combinatorial fluorescence microscopic imaging. The set of probes contains groups of either two or three probes that bind to a taxon-specific or function-specific nucleotide sequence. Each probe of a group of probes is labeled with a distinct fluorescent label, and each group corresponds to a unique combination of labels, which can be detected across the image and serves to identify cells having a single target sequence, or a set of target sequences, that are characteristic of a unique taxonomic or functional classification. The combinatorial labeling and spectral imaging approach greatly expands the number of different classifications that can be identified simultaneously in a single image of a collection of cells.

Abstract: In a management of taxonomic information, a name that specifies an organism is identified. Based on the name and a database of organism names or classifications, another name that specifies the organism and that represents a link between pieces of biological identification information in the database, or a classification for the organism, is determined. Based on the other name or the classification, information associated with the organism is identified.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for measuring parameters related to retardance and slow axis azimuth in sample specimens, a sample is illuminated by circularly polarized monochromatic light which is then analyzed by an elliptical analyzer at different settings. In another embodiment, light conditioned by an elliptical polarizer at various settings illuminates a specimen and the beam exiting the sample is analyzed by a circular analyzer. Background images obtained with selected settings of the elliptical analyzer/polarizer, but without the sample present. Algorithms are described which employ two specimen images with elliptical settings and three or two background images; or which employ three specimen images with elliptical settings; or which employ four specimen images with elliptical settings without an extinction setting; or which employ five specimen images with four elliptical settings and one extinction setting.

Abstract: A method for performing differential interference contrast microscopy on a specimen includes collecting at least two images with illumination respectively having first and second beam-shear directions relative to a rotational orientation of the specimen, determining data associated with an intensity distribution of each of the collected images, and calculating values having a spatial distribution that is substantially independent of the rotational orientation of the specimen. A differential interference contrast microscope includes a beam-shearing assembly that includes a beam-shearing component. The beam-shearing assembly is configured to provide a variable shear vector without a movement of the beam-shearing component. A microscopy system can include the microscope and an imaging-control unit.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for measuring retardance and slow axis azimuth in sample specimens, a sample is illuminated by circularly polarized monochromatic light which is then analyzed by an elliptical analyzer at different settings. In another embodiment, light conditioned by an elliptical polarizer at various settings illuminates a specimen and the beam exiting the sample is analyzed by a circular analyzer. The elliptical analyzer/polarizer may have selectable ellipticity and azimuth angle, including in some cases a setting of circular polarization. Background images obtained with selected settings of the elliptical analyzer/polarizer, but without the sample present, are used in some embodiments to improve the measurement.

Abstract: A method for performing differential interference contrast microscopy on a specimen includes collecting at least two images with illumination respectively having first and second beam-shear directions relative to a rotational orientation of the specimen, determining data associated with an intensity distribution of each of the collected images, and calculating values having a spatial distribution that is substantially independent of the rotational orientation of the specimen. A differential interference contrast microscope includes a beam-shearing assembly that includes a beam-shearing component. The beam-shearing assembly is configured to provide a variable shear vector without a movement of the beam-shearing component. A microscopy system can include the microscope and an imaging-control unit.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for measuring retardance and slow axis azimuth in sample specimens, a sample is illuminated by circularly polarized monochromatic light which is then analyzed by an elliptical analyzer at different settings. In another embodiment, light conditioned by an elliptical polarizer at various settings illuminates a specimen and the beam exiting the sample is analyzed by a circular analyzer. The elliptical analyzer/polarizer may have selectable ellipticity and azimuth angle, including in some cases a setting of circular polarization. Background images obtained with selected settings of the elliptical analyzer/polarizer, but without the sample present, are used in some embodiments to improve the measurement.

Abstract: The invention provides a highly sensitive measurement of retardance and slow axis orientation, accurately and instantaneously, across a full two-dimensional image. There are no moving parts and there need not be any electro-optic tuning as part of the measurement. It is ideally adapted to real-time imaging and is well-suited to use with biological and medical samples, including visualizing structures in oocytes. The invention splits a light beam into several beams, which are analyzed using elliptical polarizers and the resultant intensity is measured. It can be constructed using a single pixilated detector, or several detectors, to achieve high spatial resolution when this is desired.