Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensor devices contained in a plurality of wells contained in a well-plate assembly. The sensor devices are used in a plurality of oscillators. Each oscillator generates a frequency and a resistance based on a quality of living biological cells contained in a corresponding well. The quality may include, for example, surface coupled mass, density, viscosity, and/or viscoelasticity of the living biological cells. The system also includes logic for measuring a resonant frequency and motional resistance associated with each sensor device and logic for processing the measured resonant frequency and motional resistance. Moreover, the system includes logic for displaying one or more graphs showing one or more characteristics of the living biological cells contained in the wells.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensor devices contained in a plurality of wells contained in a well-plate assembly. The sensor devices are used in a plurality of oscillators. Each oscillator generates a frequency and a resistance based on a quality of living biological cells contained in a corresponding well. The quality may include, for example, surface coupled mass, density, viscosity, and/or viscoelasticity of the living biological cells. The system also includes logic for measuring a resonant frequency and motional resistance associated with each sensor device and logic for processing the measured resonant frequency and motional resistance. Moreover, the system includes logic for displaying one or more graphs showing one or more characteristics of the living biological cells contained in the wells.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method of sensing a response of a living cell or virus to a change in conditions. The method comprises applying an essentially constant external electromotive force that causes oscillation of an acoustic wave device at essentially constant amplitude and frequency under steady state conditions. The acoustic wave device has attached at least one living cell or virus. A combined oscillating system including the acoustic wave device and the living cell or virus exhibits a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic frequency of the combined oscillating system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chess set piece construction that utilizes a spark plug body, a weighted hardware attachment as a base and a decorative hardware attachment for an upper adornment that signifies the piece type. A repurposed or recycled spark plug is utilized as the chess piece body structure, wherein the lower threading above an electrode, a socket driver hex midsection, and the elongated insulator section is retained in the finished piece, while the terminal may be removed in certain embodiments. A weighted mechanical nut or similar piece of hardware is mated to the lower threading of the plug, while an upper, decorative portion is positioned in place of the terminal or therearound. The lower nut provides a stable base for the piece, the plug body provides the midsection structure, while the upper portion signifying the type of chess piece. The elements may be painted to signify opposing chess piece sides.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method of sensing a response of a living cell or virus to a change in conditions. The method comprises applying an essentially constant external electromotive force that causes oscillation of an acoustic wave device at essentially constant amplitude and frequency under steady state conditions. The acoustic wave device has attached at least one living cell or virus. A combined oscillating system including the acoustic wave device and the living cell or virus exhibits a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic frequency of the combined oscillating system.

Abstract: A metamaterial includes a dielectric substrate and an array of discrete resonators at the dielectric substrate, wherein each of the discrete resonators has a shape that is independently selected from: an F-type shape; an E-type shape; or a y-type shape. A parameter of a chiral metamaterial is determined and a chiral metamaterial having such a parameter is prepared by the use of a model of the chiral metamaterial. The metamaterial model includes an array of discrete resonators. In one embodiment, each of the discrete resonators has a shape that is independently selected from the group consisting of: an F-type shape; an E-type shape; and a y-type shape. To the metamaterial model, electromagnetic (EM) radiation, preferably plane-polarized EM radiation in a visible, ultraviolet or near-infrared region, having at least one wavelength that is larger than the largest dimension of at least resonator of the metamaterial model, is applied.

Abstract: A metamaterial includes a dielectric substrate and an array of discrete resonators at the dielectric substrate, wherein each of the discrete resonators has a shape that is independently selected from: an F-type shape; an E-type shape; or a y-type shape. A parameter of a chiral metamaterial is determined and a chiral metamaterial having such a parameter is prepared by the use of a model of the chiral metamaterial. The metamaterial model includes an array of discrete resonators. In one embodiment, each of the discrete resonators has a shape that is independently selected from the group consisting of: an F-type shape; an E-type shape; and a y-type shape. To the metamaterial model, electromagnetic (EM) radiation, preferably plane-polarized EM radiation in a visible, ultraviolet or near-infrared region, having at least one wavelength that is larger than the largest dimension of at least resonator of the metamaterial model, is applied.

Abstract: Selective whole cell QCM biosensors are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such whole cell QCM biosensors, e.g., to screen drugs and diagnose diseases.

Abstract: Selective whole cell QCM biosensors are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such whole cell QCM biosensors, e.g., to screen drugs and diagnose diseases.

Abstract: The invention features improved methods of and apparatus for generating and administering treatment dosages of morphogens mobilized from extracellular matrices (ECM) for tissue reconstruction applications. In particular, the invention provides tissue reconstruction devices and methods that stimulate EDMs, e.g., by applying an electric potential, to achieve controlled release of morphogens that can then be placed into tissue sites when needed. Selectively releasing different morphogens at different times by the application of specific stimuli accelerates the tissue reconstruction process.

Abstract: The Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) creates a piezoelectric biosensor utilizing living endothelial cells (ECs) as the biological signal transduction element. ECs adhere to the hydrophilically treated gold QCM surface under growth media containing serum. The EC QCM biosensor can be used for the study of EC attachment and to detect EC cytoskeletal alterations. The cellular biosensor can be used for real time identification or screening of classes of biologically active drugs or biological macromolecules that affect cellular attachment, regardless of their molecular mechanism of action.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers are formed by combining a water-soluble analog of a water-insoluble monomer, such as a water-insoluble redox monomer, with a water-based solvent and an enzyme. The water-soluble polymers formed can be electrically conductive or optically active. The water-soluble analog can be copolymerized with a water-insoluble redox monomer to form a copolymer that is also water-soluble. Polymers formed by the method of this invention can be layered on a surface to form, for example, alternating layers of polyanions and polycations.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of a substance being monitored in a medium, selected from the group of substances including organophosphorus compounds and the metal ions Zn, Be and Bi, including the steps of: providing a 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound; providing a phosphatase that catalytically degrades the 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound to produce light, the catalytic activity of the phosphatase toward 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound being altered by the substance being monitored; exposing the 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound and the phosphatase together to a medium which may contain the substance being monitored; detecting light produced after the exposing step; and determining, from the detected light, the presence and concentration in the medium of the substance being monitored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a nucleic acid polymer without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer. The method includes contacting a liquid medium, in which the nucleic acid polymer is disposed, with an electrically conductive polymer substrate. The substrate has an electrical charge which, when the substrate is contacted with said liquid medium, causes at least a portion of the nucleic acid polymer in the liquid medium to bind to said substrate without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer. The substrate is then separated from the liquid medium, whereby the bound nucleic acid polymer is removed from the liquid medium, thereby isolating the bound nucleic acid polymer from the liquid medium without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer.

Abstract: A photodetection device uses configurations of photodynamic proteins which exhibit a change in electrical conductivity in response to a corresponding change in incident light intensity in the presence of an applied voltage. The photodynamic proteins are coupled to an electrical conductor, a voltage source and a conductivity sensor. The photodynamic protein complex includes at least one layer of a photodynamic protein and preferably includes a multi-layered thin-film structure with each layer comprised of either a photodynamic protein or a conductive polymer or oligomer. Groups of linked photodetectors where the photodetectors have different, but overlapping, spectral response ranges are used to detect specific wavelengths of incident light. An array of these groups of linked photodetectors arranged in a predetermined spatial pattern allows detection of both colon and images.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having photo-electronic properties and methods of making the same. The instant films may be made, for example, by spreading a mixture of one or more types of biotinylated lipids and one or more types of electrically-conductive lipids over a water-miscible liquid subphase. Conjugated molecules comprising a biotin-binding component made up of an avidin or streptavidin molecule or a fragment or derivative thereof having biotin-binding activity and a photodynamic proteinaceous component are then injected into the subphase. Because of the affinity between biotin and the biotin-binding component, the conjugated molecules bind to the biotinylated lipids. The air-subphase interface is then compressed, causing the biotinylated lipids and electrically-conductive lipids to form a monolayer thereat.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing enzyme-catalyzed polymers using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In one embodiment, the process comprises spreading one or more enzyme-polymerizable monomers on a water-miscible solvent. The monomers are sufficiently surface active that they align themselves on the air-solvent interface. Next, pressure is applied to the interface to form a monolayer made up of the monomers. An enzyme is then introduced into the solvent, causing polymerization of the monomers in the monolayer. The polymeric monolayers produced by the present method are easier to process and have reduced cross-linking and branching as compared to similar polymers produced in bulk by enzyme-catalyzed reactions.