Abstract: Disclosed is an assay for determining resistance in a target cell or tissue to a therapy associated with cellular stress using chemical microscopy and high-throughput single cell analysis to determine functional metabolic alteration, including determining metabolic reprogramming in a target cell or tissue to a therapy associated with cellular stress, and methods of using the assays.

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: Methods of forming a gel and related methods of treating subjects with such gels are described. The method may include preparing a composition by combining a macromer comprising a first polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer, a poly(ethylenimine)-based polymer, or a poly(1,2-glycerol) carbonate-based polymer, the macromer including at least one first functional moiety, a crosslinking agent comprising a second PEG-based polymer that includes at least one second functional moiety, and a photoinitiator, and activating the photoinitiator via a light source to form the gel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for capturing extracellular vesicles from a biological sample for quantification and/or characterization (e.g., size and/or shape discrimination) using an SP-IRIS system. Also provided herein are methods of detecting a biomarker on captured extracellular vesicles or inside the captured vesicles (e.g., intra-vesicular or intra-exosomal biomarkers).

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 system for neuromodulation includes a split-ring resonator (SRR) comprising a resonance circuit, the SRR being implantable in a cranial target site and a source of microwave signals, wherein the microwave signals are deliverable wirelessly to couple with the SRR to produce a localized electrical field, wherein the localized electrical field inhibits one or more neurons at the cranial target site with submillimeter spatial precision.

Abstract: Microscopic analysis of a sample includes a fluorescent dye disposed within the sample. A mid-IR optical source generates a mid-infrared beam, which is directed onto the sample to induce a temperature change by absorption of the mid-infrared beam. An optical source generates a probe beam directed to impinge on the sample. A detector detects fluorescent emissions from the sample when the probe beam impinges on the sample. A data acquisition and processing system acquires and processes the detected fluorescent emissions from the sample to: (i) generate a signal indicative of infrared absorption by the sample, (ii) generate a signal indicative of temperature in the sample based on the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the sample, (iii) generate an image of the sample using the signal indicative of temperature in the sample.

Abstract: Herein is described kinetic assay, in which individual binding events are detected and monitored during sample incubation. This method uses interferometric reflectance imaging to detect thousands of individual binding events across a multiplex solid phase sensor with a large area. A dynamic tracking procedure is used to measure the duration of each event. From this, the total rates of binding and de-binding as well as the distribution of binding event durations are determined. Systems and components for performing the kinetic assay are also described.

Abstract: A ring resonator optical modulator comprises: an optical region in which optical radiation can propagate in a circular path having an inner radius and an outer radius coincident with an outer perimeter of the ring resonator optical modulator; a MOS capacitor structure having an upper gate device layer and a lower body device layer, and an insulating material being disposed between the upper gate device layer and the lower body device layer; and a cladding region. The optical radiation is confined within the optical region. The insulating material has a first region disposed in the optical region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the second region being disposed radially inwardly from the inner radius of the optical region, such that the optical radiation is radially confined toward the outer side of the inner radius of the optical region.

Abstract: A sensing system, and method of operating same, can act as a highly sensitive gradiometer. A first non-magnetic element, such as a sphere, is driven at a first resonance frequency along an axis. A magnet is attached to a second non-magnetic element, such as a plate, and driven at a second resonance frequency along the axis. The first non-magnetic element and the second non-magnetic element are coupled by a force along the axis, in resonance. The gradiometer is configured to determine a gradient magnetic field acting on one or more of the first non-magnetic element and magnet based on change in at least one resonance characteristic.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of cancer, including melanoma.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, assays, methods and compositions for identification of oxidase microbial redox-enzymes (MREs) specific to an analyte of interest from an environmental source. The technology relates to identification of analyte-responsive MREs that can quantify the concentration of a target analyte with high specificity and high sensitivity, for example, where the identified analyte-responsive redox-enzyme can be used to engineer an electrochemical biosensor.

Abstract: Described herein is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) platform with the ability to (a) serve as an ON/OFF switch (with the ability for tenability/titrability), (b) sense multiple antigens and perform logic computations, and/or (c) independently regulate multiple signaling pathways. The compositions provided herein permit the degree of control and discrimination necessary to optimize CAR T cell therapy. Also described herein are cells comprising such compositions and the use of these compositions and/or cells in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to regulated synthetic gene expression systems. In one aspect described herein are synthetic transcription factors (synTFs) comprising a DNA binding domain, a transcriptional effector domain, and a regulator protein. In other aspects described herein are gene expression systems comprising said synTFs and methods of treating diseases and disorders using said synTFs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treatment of prion disease.

Abstract: Transient molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, are important signals and mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these molecules may be short-lived in the body, they are difficult to detect. To track these reactive molecules in the GI tract, a miniaturized device has been developed that integrates genetically engineered probiotic biosensors with a custom-designed photodetector and readout chip. Leveraging the molecular specificity of living sensors, bacteria were genetically encoded to respond to IBD-associated molecules by luminescing. Low-power electronic readout circuits (e.g., using nanowatt power) integrated into the device convert the light from just 1 ?L of bacterial culture into a wireless signal. Biosensor monitoring was demonstrated in the GI tract of small and large animal models and integration of all components into a sub-1.4 cm3 ingestible form factor capable of supporting wireless communication.

Abstract: Described herein are methods relating to the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of airway dysfunction, e.g., bronchiectasis by detecting gene expression in a sample obtained from a subject. Exemplary samples include a bronchial brushing, nasal brushing, sputum, or peripheral blood sample.

Abstract: An optical fiber system exploits a principle of topological confinement for guided higher-order modes, in contrast to more conventional total-internal-reflection (TIR) confinement. The optical fiber has a geometry and index profile defining a cutoff wavelength for a predetermined L-mode of optical signal propagation in the optical fiber, where L is azimuthal mode index. An optical source subsystem is coupled to the optical fiber to establish an optical signal propagating in the optical fiber, wherein the optical signal has the predetermined L-mode and a wavelength being either (1) at least 15% above the cutoff wavelength such that the optical beam propagates as a topologically confined mode, or (2) sufficiently above the cutoff wavelength that, based on the L-mode of the optical beam, the optical beam propagates as a topologically confined mode having propagation loss less than 3 dB/meter.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relates to ganglioside GM3-containing mixed lipids nanoparticles having an overall size between 60-100 nm, the making thereof and the uses. The nanoparticles selectively targeted to CD169+ expressing cells such as dendritic cells and macrophage. The nanoparticles are endocytosed by the CD169+ expressing cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for treatment of damaged lung tissue, e.g., lungs of a patient with a viral infection (e.g., coronavirus) and/or a bacterial infection and/or a parasitic pathogen or a patient whose lung tissue was damaged by exposure to a chemical, and a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Also provided is a method for protecting the brain from neuro-invasion and preventing inflammatory damage to organs remote from the lungs, by blocking cytokine synthesis in the lungs. The treatment includes administering a leptin antagonist (LepA) locally to the upper airways and/or to the lungs of the patient. Typically, the LepA is administered in an inhalable composition, such as, an aerosol.