Abstract: In aspects, the invention provides novel compositions and methods for dominant inhibition of viral infection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for configuring and using displays, speakers, or other output devices positioned by an article of clothing or other such structure wearable by a healthcare recipient, for example, in a clinic or residential care facility.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods of unified expansion microscopy (uniExM) permitting multimodal detection of biomolecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the selective silencing of neurons in pain pathway by using a combination of inhibitory light-sensitive protein gene transfer and wavelength specific illumination.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects, includes compositions encoding expression-recording islands (XRIs), compositions comprising XRIs, and methods for using XRIs for intracellular molecular recording.

Abstract: An automated craniotomy opening apparatus includes a drilling apparatus with a drilling tip, at least one drilling apparatus positioning device, a detection device, and a computer processor that automatically controls the drilling apparatus, the positioning device, and the detection device. A method for automated opening of craniotomies includes, under automatic control of a computer processor, drilling into a skull for a predetermined distance and determining when there is a conductance drop near the drilling tip that indicates skull breakthrough. If the conductance is not below a predetermined threshold, drilling continues iteratively manner until conductance is below the threshold. A craniotomy pattern may be predetermined and automatically drilled under control of the processor. A cranial window may be created by drilling along a path that interpolates between holes to form the circumference of the window. Determining conductance may include use of an impedance detection circuit.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to light-activated ion channel molecules and methods for their use to alter cell activity and function. Light-activated ion channel molecules of the invention can be administered to subjects, expressed in cells, and activated with light, to alter membrane potential in the cells, and can be used in methods for assaying compounds, treating diseases and conditions, compound screening and more.

Abstract: A programmable modular protein architecture for RNA binding comprises a set of modules, derived from RNA-binding protein Pumilio, that can be concatenated into chains of varying composition and length. When bound into a chain, each module has a preferred affinity for a specific RNA base. The chains can bind arbitrary RNA sequences with high specificity and fidelity by varying the sequence of modules within the chains. Each module contains at least 6 amino acids, with the amino acids in positions 1 and 5 providing the preferred affinity for the specific base, and the amino acid at position 2 serving as a stacking unit between concatenated modules. The modules may have four canonic forms, each having a preferred affinity for a different base and characterized by the base with which it has affinity, the two amino acids that provide the affinity, and the amino acid that serves as a stacking unit.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing nanoparticles by sonofragmentation includes dispersing ultra-thin substrate units in a solvent chosen for suitability for sonofragmentation of the substrate, forming a suspension; ultrasonicating the suspension for a length of time sufficient to fragment the substrate into nanoparticles that are dispersed in the solvent; and evaporating the solvent. Solvent exchange with a second solvent may be performed. The synthesized nanoparticles are highly crystalline and monodispersed. The surface of the synthesized nanoparticles may be functionalized by choosing the solvents according to chemistry related to the intended surface functionalization of the synthesized nanoparticles, by adding surfactants to one or more of the solvents, and/or by performing ligand exchange or chemical modification to replace surface-bonded solvent or surfactant molecules with other functional groups to produce nanoparticles having the desired surface functionalization.

Abstract: Methods for single-molecule analysis of structure and sequence of linearized polynucleotides are provided.

Abstract: A programmable modular protein architecture for RNA binding comprises a set of modules, derived from RNA-binding protein Pumilio, that can be concatenated into chains of varying composition and length. When bound into a chain, each module has a preferred affinity for a specific RNA base. The chains can bind arbitrary RNA sequences with high specificity and fidelity by varying the sequence of modules within the chains. Each module contains at least 6 amino acids, with the amino acids in positions 1 and 5 providing the preferred affinity for the specific base, and the amino acid at position 2 serving as a stacking unit between concatenated modules. The modules may have four canonic forms, each having a preferred affinity for a different base and characterized by the base with which it has affinity, the two amino acids that provide the affinity, and the amino acid that serves as a stacking unit.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects, relates to polypeptide molecules and their encoding nucleic acid molecules and use of such molecules to direct and localize sensor molecules in the soma of cells in which they are expressed. Compositions of the invention may be delivered to cells and subjects and used in methods to determine activity in cells in which they are expressed.

Abstract: The present invention enables three-dimensional nanofabrication by isotropic shrinking of patterned hydrogels. A hydrogel is first expanded, the rate of expansion being controlled by the concentration of the crosslinker. The hydrogel is then infused with a reactive group and patterned in three dimensions using a photon beam through a limited-diffraction microscope. Functional particles or materials are then deposited on the pattern. The hydrogel is then shrunk and cleaved from the pattern.

Abstract: An automated craniotomy opening apparatus includes a drilling apparatus with a drilling tip, at least one drilling apparatus positioning device, a detection device, and a computer processor that automatically controls the drilling apparatus, the positioning device, and the detection device. A method for automated opening of craniotomies includes, under automatice control of a computer processor, drilling into a skull for a predetermined distance and determining when there is a conductance drop near the drilling tip that indicates skull breakthrough. If the conductance is not below a predetermined threshold, drilling continues iteratively manner until conductance is below the threshold. A craniotomy pattern may be predetermined and automatically drilled under control of the processor. A cranial window may be created by drilling along a path that interpolates between holes to form the circumference of the window. Determining conductance may include use of an impedance detection circuit.

Abstract: In an automated methodology for in vivo image-guided cell patch clamping, a cell patch clamping device is moved into position and targeted to a specific cell using automated image-guided techniques. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping device as it is moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded before cell contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve gigaseal formation and cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system capable of performing this methodology automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically locating cells through image guidance and by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the selective silencing of neurons in pain pathway by using a combination of inhibitory light-sensitive protein gene transfer and wavelength specific illumination.

Abstract: A method for automated opening of craniotomies includes, under the control of a computer processor, drilling into a skull for a predetermined distance and determining when there is a conductance drop near the drilling tip that indicates skull breakthrough. If the conductance is not below a predetermined threshold, drilling continues iteratively manner until conductance is below the threshold. A craniotomy pattern may be predetermined and automatically drilled under control of the processor. A cranial window may be created by drilling along a path that interpolates between holes to form the circumference of the window. An automated craniotomy opening apparatus includes a drilling apparatus with a drilling tip, at least one drilling apparatus positioning device, a detection device, and a computer processor that controls the drilling apparatus, the positioning device, and the detection device according to the method. Determining conductance may include use of an impedance detection circuit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that may be used to controllably deliver alcohol to a subject using an inhaler, wherein the inhaler may include a housing having a flow channel coupled to an ethanol-containing inhalant reservoir, an actuator configured to facilitate release of the inhalant, a constituent sensor, and a control unit. The control unit may accept parameters associated with the subject, create an inhalant delivery regime, and control operation of the actuator based at least partially on a sensed constituent level to facilitate release of an ethanol-containing inhalant from the reservoir into the flow channel in accordance with the regimen.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for configuring and using displays, speakers, or other output devices positioned by an article of clothing or other such structure wearable by a healthcare recipient, for example, in a clinic or residential care facility.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions comprising synthetic minimal cells (SMCs) and use of SMCs, pluralities of SMCs in relation to engineering genetic circuit interactions.