Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a single stranded nucleic acid construct with a predetermined number of binding sites, wherein the construct comprises a targeting domain, at least one signaling domain, and at least one splint oligonucleotide that hybridizes to complementary regions on the targeting domain and the signaling domain to form a ligation junction to link each domain to form a functional unit. The present disclosure also provides for methods of using the construct to quantify a target nucleic acid through signal intensity. In other embodiments, the disclosure provides use of the construct in multiplexed target detection methods.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods related to enhancing cardiomyocyte transplant engraftment and methods of administering a transplant composition.

Abstract: Methods of uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are provided. Kits for uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are also provided. The molecules to be labeled may include, but are not limited to, RNAs, cDNAs, DNAs, proteins, peptides, and/or antigens.

Abstract: Alpha-sheet polypeptide multimers, and polypeptides for making multimers, compositions and medical devices including them, and their use for treating and diagnosing amyloid diseases or amyloid-associated diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are provided. Kits for uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are also provided. The molecules to be labeled may include, but are not limited to, RNAs, cDNAs, DNAs, proteins, peptides, and/or antigens.

Abstract: Handheld optical imaging devices and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system includes an OCT probe that is configured as a hand-held probe for imaging an eye of a patient, the OCT probe includes: an OCT optical system configured to direct a source OCT signal to the eye and configured to capture OCT scan signal returning from the eye; and an on-probe display carried by a handle, wherein the on-probe display is configured to display imaging data of the eye of a patient to an operator during OCT imaging.

Abstract: Next Generation DNA sequencing promises to revolutionize clinical medicine and basic research. However, while this technology has the capacity to generate hundreds of billions of nucleotides of DNA sequence in a single experiment, the error rate of approximately 1% results in hundreds of millions of sequencing mistakes. These scattered errors can be tolerated in some applications but become extremely problematic when “deep sequencing” genetically heterogeneous mixtures, such as tumors or mixed microbial populations. To overcome limitations in sequencing accuracy, a method Duplex Consensus Sequencing (DCS) is provided. This approach greatly reduces errors by independently tagging and sequencing each of the two strands of a DNA duplex. As the two strands are complementary, true mutations are found at the same position in both strands. In contrast, PCR or sequencing errors will result in errors in only one strand.

Abstract: De novo designed polypeptides that bind to IL-2 receptor ?c heterodimer (IL-2R?c), IL-4 receptor ?c heterodimer (IL-4R?c), or IL-13 receptor ? subunit (IL-13R?) are disclosed, as are methods for using and designing the polypeptides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accurate optical pH sensing of biofilms are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of measuring an extracellular pH level using multiple wavelengths emitted by a fluorescent substance includes: exciting the fluorescent substance at an excitation wavelength; measuring a first fluorescence intensity at a first wavelength of a fluorescence emission; and measuring a second fluorescence intensity at a second wavelength of the fluorescence emission. The second wavelength is different from the first wavelength. The method also includes determining the extracellular pH level based on the first fluorescence intensity at the first wavelength and the second fluorescence intensity at the second wavelength.

Abstract: An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma having a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Conditionally active receptor agonists that, when activated, bind to IL-2 receptor ?c heterodimer (IL-2R?c), IL-4 receptor ?c heterodimer (IL-4R?c), or IL-13 receptor a subunit (IL˜13 R?) are disclosed, as are components of the conditionally active receptor agonists and methods for using the conditionally active receptor agonists.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition is provided herein. The immunogenic compositions are used to identify and select immunogenic antigens that elicit immune responses in a subject and may be subsequently used in multi-antigen vaccine compositions against one or more diseases or conditions. According to some embodiments, the immunogenic composition may include a plurality of nucleic acid fragments or minigenes derived from a nucleic acid library, wherein each nucleic acid fragment encodes a different antigen or functional portion thereof, and wherein the different antigens or functional portions thereof are associated with one or more disease or condition. The immunogenic composition may also include a delivery medium loaded with the plurality of nucleic acid fragments and in some embodiments, the delivery medium is loaded with nucleic acid fragments in such a way that individual antigen presenting cells receive only a subset of the nucleic acids within a vaccine in order to minimize antigenic competition.

Abstract: Phase-change metasurface waveguide mode converters and photonic computing systems including a phase-change metasurface waveguide mode converter are described. In an embodiment, the phase-change metasurface waveguide mode converter include a plurality of phase-change antennas comprising a phase-change material and protruding from a surface, wherein each phase-change antenna of the plurality of phase-change antennas is configured to scatter an optical waveguide mode and cause a phase shift of light travelling through an optical waveguide optically coupled thereto. In an embodiment, the phase-change metasurface waveguide mode converter includes the plurality of phase-change antennas configured to alternate between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method of generating a visualization of wavelength-dependent surface characteristics is provided. A computing device receives an input image captured by a camera, wherein the input image includes information in a low-dimensional color space. The computing device processes the input image to determine spectrum band information in a high-dimensional color space that corresponds to the input image. The computing device extracts subtractive information from the spectrum band information to obtain wavelength-dependent surface characteristic information, The computing device generates the visualization using the wavelength-dependent surface characteristic information. In some embodiments, the computing device may be a smartphone.

Abstract: Methods of uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are provided. Kits for uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are also provided. The molecules to be labeled may include, but are not limited to, RNAs, cDNAs, DNAs, proteins, peptides, and/or antigens.

Abstract: De novo designed polypeptides that bind to IL-2 receptor ??c heterodimer (IL-2R??c), IL-4 receptor ??c heterodimer (IL-4R??c), or IL-13 receptor ? subunit (IL-13R?) are disclosed, as are methods for using and designing the polypeptides.

Abstract: Method for nanoparticle-mediated deposition of radiation (NMDR) and targeted radiation therapies using a biodegradable and bioabsorbable iron oxide nanoparticle with a biocompatible coating that is effective to overcome various extra- and intra-cellular barriers and selectively accumulate in solid and metastatic tumors to improve the energy transfer of conventional radiotherapy

Abstract: Methods of uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are provided. Kits for uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are also provided. The molecules to be labeled may include, but are not limited to, RNAs, cDNAs, DNAs, proteins, peptides, and/or antigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising aptamers that specifically bind monocytes and/or macrophage and methods for their use. These aptamer compositions can be used in methods for isolating and/or enriching monocytes and/or macrophages or depleting cell populations of monocytes and/or macrophages. Further provided are methods of using the aptamers or cell populations generated using them in the methods disclosed herein for therapies and/or drug delivery.