Abstract: Provided herein are Zika virus (ZIKV) binding constructs, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and antibody mimetics, as well as related conjugates, polypeptides, nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, kits, and assay systems. Methods detecting ZIKV infection and/or ZIKV exposure and/or ZIKV immunity are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising Eno1 for delivery to a muscle. Further, the invention provides a method for normalizing blood glucose in a subject with elevated blood glucose, comprising administering to the subject enolase 1 (Eno1), thereby normalizing blood glucose in the subject. The invention also provides methods of treating one or more conditions including impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes in a subject, comprising administering to the subject enolase 1 (Eno1), thereby treating the condition in the subject. In certain methods of the invention, the Eno1 is delivered to muscle.

Abstract: Kits and methods for detecting a target polynucleotide sequence are disclosed. The kits and methods described herein allow for the detection of a target polynucleotide sequence that lacks a missing base selected from adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil, and combinations thereof, using rolling circle amplification and a padlock probe polynucleotide sequence that lacks the base complementary to the base missing in the target polynucleotide sequence. The kits and methods may be used to detect any target polynucleotide sequence, such as DNA or RNA from a bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides dendrimer conjugates. The present invention provides a composition comprising a dendrimer conjugate and a cell, such as a cell covered with dendrimer conjugates, in which dendrimer conjugates home the cell to a target tissue.

Abstract: Kits and methods for detecting pathogens without the need for laboratory equipment are disclosed. The kits and methods described herein allow for near-room temperature amplification of pathogen polynucleotides in a biological sample in a one-compartment reaction vessel. The kits and methods may be used to detect any target nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA from a bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides dendrimer conjugates. The present invention provides a composition comprising a dendrimer conjugate and a cell, such as a cell covered with dendrimer conjugates, in which dendrimer conjugates home the cell to a target tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising Eno1 for delivery to a muscle. Further, the invention provides a method for normalizing blood glucose in a subject with elevated blood glucose, comprising administering to the subject enolase 1 (Eno1), thereby normalizing blood glucose in the subject. The invention also provides methods of treating one or more conditions including impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes in a subject, comprising administering to the subject enolase 1 (Eno1), thereby treating the condition in the subject. In certain methods of the invention, the Eno1 is delivered to muscle.

Abstract: The present invention provides dendrimer conjugates. The present invention provides a composition comprising a dendrimer conjugate and a cell, such as a cell covered with dendrimer conjugates, in which dendrimer conjugates home the cell to a target tissue.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides systems, methods, and kits for diagnosing and/or monitoring a bacteria-related condition of interest in a subject by providing a cell sensing system, each system containing a reporter molecule capable of detecting binding of a quorum sensing molecule and capable of generating a detectable signal.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides biosensors for detecting molecules of interest. The biosensors include a polypeptide capable of selectively-binding glucose, wherein the polypeptide molecule is selected from: an unnatural analogue of wild type glucose binding protein; a fragment of wild type glucose binding protein; and an unnatural analogue fragment of wild type glucose binding protein.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors comprising spore-forming bacterial cells and/or spores generated therefrom, a recognition unit within each spore-forming cell for binding an analyte of interest, and a reporter molecule within each spore-forming cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the biosensors and systems and kits including the biosensors.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors for detecting molecules of interest, and systems and methods for using same. The biosensors include an antibody and a probe covalently-linked to the antibody. The antibody has an antigen-binding site that selectively binds the molecule of interest and a purine-binding site, which is at a location distinct from that of the antigen-binding site. The probe includes a purine molecule, which is covalently bound at the purine-binding site to the antibody, and a label linked to the purine molecule. Upon binding of the molecule of interest to the biosensor antigen-binding site, the biosensor undergoes a conformational change, which detectably alters a signal of the label such that the molecule of interest can be detected.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides biosensors for detecting molecules of interest. The biosensors comprise a polypeptide capable of selectively-binding glucose, wherein the polypeptide molecule is selected from: an unnatural analogue of wild type glucose binding protein; a fragment of wild type glucose binding protein; and an unnatural analogue fragment of wild type glucose binding protein.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors comprising spore-forming bacterial cells and/or spores generated therefrom, a recognition unit within each spore-forming cell for binding an analyte of interest, and a reporter molecule within each spore-forming cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the biosensors and systems and kits including the biosensors.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides systems, methods, and kits for diagnosing and/or monitoring a bacteria-related condition of interest in a subject by providing a cell sensing system, each system containing a reporter molecule capable of detecting binding of a quorum sensing molecule and capable of generating a detectable signal.

Abstract: A solid-phase immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1?, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin (Prostaglandin I2) is disclosed. Prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator with anti-platelet and anti-proliferative properties is an effective treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma and scleroderma-like syndrome. Levels of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1? can be directly correlated with levels of prostacyclin. Therefore, 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1? has become the indicator of choice to measure prostacyclin levels. The single step immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1? uses the bioluminescent protein, aequorin as a label. Analyte-label conjugates were constructed by linking the carboxyl group of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1? and lysine residues of aequorin by chemical conjugation methods. The binding properties of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1? towards its antibody and the bioluminescent properties of aequorin are retained in the conjugate.

Abstract: A hydrogel microdome that can swell in response to a stimuli or target molecule is formed by polymerizing a mixture comprising a monomer capable of forming a hydrogel with a biopolymer. An array of hydrogel microdomes can be formed on a substrate by microspotting the mixture and polymerizing. The array can be used for high-throughput screening of analytes as well as for use as an actuator and biosensor using the swelling property of the hydrogel.

Abstract: A novel artificial muscle material and miniature valves and micropumps made therefrom are provided. The artificial muscle material bends reversibly when electroactuated by applying low voltage, in a wide pH range, even at that of physiological pH, and works without contact with electrodes. Miniature valves made from the artificial material are successfully triggered for the fluid release in a wide pH range, even at that of physiological pH. Novel fluid release devices were manufactured using this artificial muscle, and methods using the same were provided, including an implantable device optimized for trans-scleral drug delivery.

Abstract: The invention relates to aequorin and obelin mutants whose emission is shifted with respect to wild type. The shift in emission is accomplished using a combination of mutations of amino acids within aequorin or obelin that affect bioluminescence; use of different types of chromophores, i.e., coelenterazines with variable emission characteristics; and modifications of the photoprotein with fluorophores that will allow for emission of light at longer wavelengths as a result of energy transfer. Additionally, an assay employing aequorin mutants to test for HIV-1 protease inhibitors is disclosed.

Abstract: A heterogeneous binding assay for an analyte in a fluid sample is developed, which uses a green fluorescent protein (GFP) label. A ligand-GFP conjugate has a specific binding affinity for an anti-ligand immobilized on a support. The anti-ligand also has a specific binding affinity for the analyte. Competition between the analyte and ligand-GFP conjugate for binding sites on the anti-ligand permits an assay for an unknown amount of the analyte. Preferred specific binding pairs for use in the assay are biotin:avidin, and a selected antibody and its antigen. A preferred assay employing an antibody and its antigen is illustrated for a fusion protein containing GFP and an antigenic determinant. Picomolar amounts of analyte can be detected. The mutant of GFP that contains a six-histidine tail to facilitate purification on an immobilized metal affinity column is chemically modified to incorporate biotin moieties.