Abstract: The present invention relates to methods modifying cell surface markers of red blood cells (RBCs) and uses of the same. In particular, the method comprises contacting an RBC with a peptide in the presence of a ligase, under suitable conditions and for sufficient time to allow ligation of the peptide to the RBC to form an RBC-peptide conjugate. In one embodiment, the ligase is OaAEPI ligase. The RBC-peptide conjugate may be further contacted with an effector molecule under suitable conditions and for sufficient time for conjugation of the effector molecule to the RBC-peptide to form an RBC-peptide-effector molecule conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising an anti-CD7 chimeric activating receptor (CAR) and an anti-CD7 protein expression blocker, and methods of using such compositions in cancer therapy.

Abstract: A method of preparing a graphene-based membrane is provided. The method may include providing a stacked arrangement of layers of a graphene-based material, wherein the layers of the graphene-based material define one or more nanochannels between neighboring layers, and varying an electrical charge on a surface of the layers of the graphene-based material defining the one or more nanochannels to control size selectivity and/or ionic selectivity of the graphene-based membrane. A graphene-based membrane and a method of separating ions from a fluid stream are also provided.

Abstract: A thin-film-composite hollow-fiber membrane includes a phase-inversion layer, which is in the form of a hollow fiber, and an active layer coated on the phase-inversion layer. The active layer selectively allows passage of water molecules but rejects at least some dissolved ions. The thin-film-composite hollow-fiber membrane can have an internal burst pressure of at least 4 MPa. In a method for forming the membrane, the polymer concentration in the spinning dope from which the hollow-fiber substrate is formed can have a polymer concentration no greater than 5% below the critical concentration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and devices for separation of motile sperm. A method of separating motile sperm comprises: introducing a fluid sample comprising motile sperm to an inlet portion of a microfluidic device; and causing the fluid sample to flow through a separation portion of the microfluidic device at a flow velocity within a rheotaxis range such that motile sperm in the sample undergo rheotaxis and remain in the separation whereas a part of the fluid sample flows out of the separation zone through an outlet portion of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Embedded memory structures and methods where an array of bitcells is interconnected by a plurality of bitlines and wordlines, each bitcell comprising a transistor connected to one of the wordlines and one of the bitlines. A TRNG circuit, peripheral to the array of bitcells, sets transistors connected to the one or more of the bitlines to an off state, determines a time interval between different crossing thresholds in a voltage discharge in the bitlines, and digitizes the time interval into bits of an TRNG output. A PUF circuit. peripheral to the array of bitcells, sets a pair of transistors connected to the pair of bitlines and the same wordline to an underdriven state, determines respective times of the transistors of the pair crossing a threshold in a voltage discharge in the pair of bitlines, and digitizes a time difference into an n-bit PUF output.

Abstract: The invention concerns a trans-splicing RNA (tsRNA) molecule comprising one or multiple unstructured binding domains; a cell or vector comprising said tsRNA; and a method for killing cells or treating a disease using said tsRNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ligation and/or assembly of nucleic acid molecules. Particularly, a double-stranded target nucleic acid having overhangs of at least one nucleotide is ligated with another nucleic acid molecule capable of forming a stem-loop structure with an overhang of at least one nucleotide. The invention is suitable for tagging nucleic acid molecules. In specific embodiments, the overhangs can be produced by chemical cleavage of phosphorothioate-modified nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to the amplification of the ligated product, and using the resultant amplicon for assembly of multiple nucleic acid fragments.

Abstract: A fluid-driven actuator 100 includes a bending actuator 200 including a first wall portion 201, a second wall portion 203 cooperating with the first wall portion 201 to define an undulating actuator profile. The bending actuator 200 also includes an inner fluid bladder 202 disposed between the first and second wall portions 201,203 and following the undulating actuator profile. The fluid-driven actuator 100 further includes a restraint member 300 arranged to cooperate with the bending actuator 200 to produce a plurality of motions in response to fluid supplied to the inner fluid bladder 202.

Abstract: This document describes a system and method for selectively switching the fast-wet-etching direction of crystalline silicon, c-Si, nanostructures between the (100) and the (110) crystallographic planes of c-Si by a simple method of sample agitation. This method effectively allows the invention to achieve anisotropic and isotropic wet-etching of c-Si.

Abstract: Wirelessly powered photodynamic therapy devices are disclosed and systems and methods using such devices are also disclosed. In an embodiment, a photodynamic therapy system comprises: an implantable illumination device comprising a light source configured to emit light having a spectrum which overlaps with an absorption peak of an absorption target and a receiver antenna coupled to the light source and configured to extract power from a radiofrequency power signal incident on the implantable illumination device; and a transmitter comprising an antenna, a powering module configured to generate a drive signal which causes the antenna to generate the radiofrequency power signal, and a dosimetry module coupled to the antenna and configured to detect a radiofrequency signal backscattered from the implantable illumination device and determine an indication of the power extracted by the implantable illumination device from the radiofrequency signal backscattered from the implantable illumination device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal organic framework (MOF) having a UTSA-16 structure, where the composition comprises: from 0 to 80 mol % of the total metal in the MOF is a first metal selected from one or more of the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Co; and from 20 to 100 mol % of the total metal in the MOF is a second metal selected from one or more of the group consisting of Cd, Mn, and Zn.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing surface unevenness of a semiconductor wafer (100). In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: removing a portion of a deposited layer and a protective layer thereon using a first slurry to provide an intermediate surface (1123). In the described embodiment, the deposited layer includes an epitaxial layer (112) and the protective layer includes a first dielectric layer (113). The first slurry includes particles with a hardness level the same as or exceeding that of the epitaxial layer (112). A slurry for use in wafer fabrication for reducing surface unevenness of a semiconductor wafer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically engineered cell populations derived from an immortalised/cancerous cell that do not express MHC class I molecules but that are modified to express membrane-bound IL-15, membrane-bound 4-1 BBL ligand, and at least one other membrane bound molecule, such as an interleukin or anti-CD3 antibody. The co-culture of said cells with a population of immune cells results in the activation and expansion of at least one subpopulation of immune cells. Expanded populations of NK cells derived from the co-culture of a mixed cell culture with the stimulatory cell lines may be used in methods of treating cancer or an infectious disease. In a separate embodiment, a plurality of nucleic acids for use in preparing the engineered cell population are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane comprising at least one 2D material and an inorganic porous material. The composite membrane described herein may be housed within a separation device which may be used for selective permeation of one or more gaseous compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of target nucleic acids using enzyme-assisted nanotechnology. More specifically, the present invention provides a molecular nanotechnology in the form of a transition-state DNA-enzyme molecular switch and methods of use that enables direct and sensitive detection of viral RNA targets in native clinical samples. In one embodiment, the detection comprising steps of providing a composition comprising at least one DNA polymerase enzyme, at least one enhancer, and at least one DNA polymerase inhibitor, wherein the DNA polymerase inhibitor is recognized and bound by the DNA polymerase enzyme via its conserved region, and is complementary to a portion of the enhance via its variable region. In another embodiment, the detection method comprising steps of providing a signalling nanostructure and detecting signal development, wherein a change in the intensity of signal. In an alternative embodiment, the target nucleic acid is a SARS-CoV-2 polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heat-repressible split-T7 polymerases comprising temperature-sensitive domains of Tlpa protein fused with split T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) to introduce thermal control into widely used T7 RNA polymerase, creating a heat-repressible Thermal-T7RNAP system. The invention further provides polynucleotides encoding the heat-repressible split-T7 polymerases, and methods of thermal control of bioproduction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensory flooring system. The flooring system comprises a plurality of flooring segments and, for each flooring segment, one or more electrode portions. Each electrode portion is responsive to a force applied to the flooring segment and at least one electrode portion of a said flooring segment forms an electrode with at least one electrode portion of another said flooring segment. Moreover, each flooring segment comprises a unique encoding of the one or more electrode portions. Also disclosed is a sensory floor such a sensory flooring system, a receiver for receiving an electrical output from the one or more electrodes formed by said one or more electrode portions of the flooring segments, and a processor for analysing the electrical output and identifying the flooring segment by which the electrical output was produced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanomaterial electrolyte formed from a modified two-dimensional nanomaterial having a surface, where the surface is modified by a plurality of functional groups selected from one or more of the group consisting of imine, sulfonic acid, sulfonamide, amine, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, thiol, and amide on the surface of the modified two-dimensional nanomaterial, where the nanomaterial electrolyte is capable of reversibly adopting a flat two-dimensional conformation or a scrolled 1-dimensional conformation upon a change to its ambient environment. There is also disclosed a method of effecting a change in conformation from one form to the other (and back again).

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompasses methods for use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.