Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating multiplex CRISPR arrays based on annealing and ligating single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides using bridge oligonucleotides. The methods described herein include providing a first oligonucleotide comprising a CRISPR repeat sequence or a portion thereof, and a first portion of a first spacer sequence at its 3? end; providing a second oligonucleotide comprising, from 5? to 3?, a second portion of the first spacer sequence, the CRISPR repeat sequence, and a first portion of a second spacer sequence; providing a bridge oligonucleotide comprising a sequence substantially complementary to the first spacer sequence; allowing the first oligonucleotide and the second oligonucleotide to hybridize with the bridge oligonucleotide; and ligating the first and second oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-strain population control systems, methods, kits, and compositions. Also provided are methods, systems, kits, and compositions for culturing bacterial cells in multi-strain ecosystems, and temporally arranged multi-strain ecosystems or cultures using a synchronized lysis circuit in combination with multiple toxin/antitoxin systems to cycle continuously over a long period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of measuring a cell population, the method including culturing a cell population in a growth medium, wherein the cell population includes a cell strain including a control gene and a promoter sequence; positioning first and second electrodes in contact with the growth medium, wherein the first and second electrodes are connected to different terminals of an electrical source; applying an electrical signal between the two electrodes; measuring an electrical parameter of the growth medium as a function of time; and determining information about the cell population based upon the measured electrical parameter.

Abstract: Provided are bacterial strains, methods of culturing bacterial cells using synthetic quorum-regulated lysis, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for modulating induction of quorum sensing in bacterial cells. For example, provided herein is a method of inducing method of inducing quorum sensing, where the method includes: culturing a bacterial strain, wherein the bacterial strain comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first activator polypeptide, wherein expression of the first activator polypeptide produces a quorum sensing molecule precursor; a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a second activator polypeptide, wherein expression of the second activator polypeptide produces a quorum sensing; a third nucleic acid sequence encoding a third activator polypeptide that is capable of activating the quorum sensing system; a fourth nucleic acid sequence encoding a gene of interest, and contacting the bacterial strain with an inducer molecule; and converting the inducer molecule into a quorum sensing molecule, thereby allowing induction of quorum sensing.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic biosensors that are suitable for continuously monitoring toxin levels in water supplies.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic biosensors that are suitable for continuously monitoring toxin levels in water supplies.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided are bacterial strains, methods of culturing bacterial cells using synthetic quorum-regulated lysis, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-strain population control systems, methods, kits, and compositions. Also provided are methods, systems, kits, and compositions for culturing bacterial cells in multi-strain ecosystems, and temporally arranged multi-strain ecosystems or cultures using a synchronized lysis circuit in combination with multiple toxin/antitoxin systems to cycle continuously over a long period of time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic biosensors that are suitable for continuously monitoring toxin levels in water supplies.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a multiscale platform for coordinating behavior using synthetic biology. The platform reduces the impact of underlying noise, making outputs more coherent and reliable at the macroscopic level. In one aspect, the invention provides a frequency-modulated biosensor, comprising a microfluidic array comprising two or more separate colonies or populations of sensing cells to grow and communicate by gas exchange, wherein the colonies or populations of sensing cells output synchronized oscillating signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: This invention provides a multiscale platform for coordinating behavior using synthetic biology. The platform reduces the impact of underlying noise, making outputs more coherent and reliable at the macroscopic level.