Abstract: Biocompatible polymer-coated transition metal chalcogenide (TMC) nanomaterials are provided herein. In particular, provided herein are two-dimensional polymer-coated TMC nanomaterials having excellent antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility, as well as methods of inhibiting microbiological growth on, or in, devices coated by or otherwise comprising the biocompatible polymer-coated transition metal chalcogenide (TMC) nanomaterials. In some cases, the biopolymer coating encapsulating the TMC nanomaterial comprises short synthetic single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs). As described herein, ssDNA-encapsulated TMDCs exhibit no cytotoxicity against human cell lines at concentrations up to 0.25 mg/mL, but they exhibit exceptionally strong bactericidal activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and a gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain.

Abstract: Provided herein are highly sensitive compositions and methods for detection of at least one specific nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The presence of a specific nucleic acid provides a positive indicator of a pathogenic agent, contaminant, non-canonical bases, and/or wild-type or mutated genes in a sample or a cell. Applications for which the compositions and methods are particularly well suited include point-of-care disease diagnosis or cellular RNA imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides novel and versatile classes of riboregulators, including inter alia activating and repressing riboregulators, switches, and trigger and sink RNA, and methods of their use for detecting RNAs in a sample such as a well and in modulating protein synthesis and expression.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for low-cost, low-equipment detection of pathogens in biological sample. In particular, provided herein is a low-cost method for detecting norovirus that provides reliable, visible test with femtomolar, attomolar, and zeptomolar detection limits and that uses materials suitable for deployment of the methods in the field.

Abstract: The present invention is a process by which an engineer can provide as input the design, functional verification goals, and other abstract design details, and receive as output an agent which can be integrated into traditional test benches and will generate stimuli to automatically hit the functional coverage goals for the design. The present invention may employ a system which includes a learning configurator, a pre-trained learning test generator, and a test bench. The pre-trained learning test generator is communicatively coupled to the generator and notably comprises a learning algorithm.

Abstract: Provided herein are imaging probes and systems and methods employing such imaging probes for real-time, label-free, multiplexed imaging of RNAs in living cells. More particularly, aptamer-based sensors (“aptasensors”) and molecular fuses comprising multiple aptasensors are genetically encoded imaging probes comprising RNA-target binding sequence and an intramolecular reconfiguration sequence. The probe is configured such that binding of a RNA target by the RNA-target binding sequence triggers the intramolecular reconfiguration sequence to reconfigure such that an optically detectable output is generated by the probe.

Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic nucleic acid molecules and methods of using such synthetic nucleic acid molecules for strong repression of target gene expression. In particular, provided herein are methods for altering expression of a protein in a cell, where the method comprises introducing into a cell a protein coding sequence operably linked to a near-threshold translational repressor having first and second trigger recognition sequences that are fully or partially complementary to a repressing trigger RNA; and introducing into a cell the repressing trigger RNA.

Abstract: Provided herein are imaging probes and systems and methods employing such imaging probes for real-time, label-free, multiplexed imaging of RNAs in living cells. More particularly, aptamer-based sensors (“aptasensors”) and molecular fuses comprising multiple aptasensors are genetically encoded imaging probes comprising RNA-target binding sequence and an intramolecular reconfiguration sequence. The probe is configured such that binding of a RNA target by the RNA-target binding sequence triggers the intramolecular reconfiguration sequence to reconfigure such that an optically detectable output is generated by the probe.

Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic nucleic acid molecules and methods of using such synthetic nucleic acid molecules for strong repression of target gene expression. In particular, provided herein are methods for altering expression of a protein in a cell, where the method comprises introducing into a cell a protein coding sequence operably linked to a near-threshold translational repressor having first and second trigger recognition sequences that are fully or partially complementary to a repressing trigger RNA; and introducing into a cell the repressing trigger RNA.

Abstract: Integrated diagnostic devices comprising peptide-DNA conjugates for analyte detection, an embedded biomolecular computing system for sample analysis, and a layered device architecture are provided herein. In particular, provided herein are devices comprising a layered architecture that enables diagnostic reagents, sample components, and reaction products to flow through the system with minimal user intervention.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition for 3D printing includes a photocurable polymer resin and metal diboride nanosheets. The resulting polymer nanocomposite includes a polymer matrix and metal diboride nanosheets dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. A method of synthesizing a nanomaterial-containing resin for 3D printing includes preparing a dispersion of metal diboride nanosheets in a solvent, and combining the dispersion with a liquid polymer resin to yield the nanomaterial-containing resin. A method of fabricating a nanocomposite structure from the nanomaterial-containing resin includes providing the nanomaterial-containing resin to a three-dimensional printer, forming a three-dimensional structure with the three-dimensional printer, and processing the three-dimensional structure to yield the nanocomposite structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for recycling domestic greywater. Greywater is drawn from a greywater waste pipe through an overflow pipe of a sanitary fixture, thereby, permitting greywater to be collected for reuse without the need for complicated and expensive retrofitting and/or reconfiguration of existing plumbing infrastructure. The system and method of the present invention can easily operate independently or be integrated with domestic utility systems to supply these utility systems with grey-water.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst washcoat comprising (i) a molecular sieve loaded with about 1 to about 10 weight percent of at least non-aluminum promoter metal (wherein the promoter metal weight percent is based on the weight of the molecular sieve); and (ii) about 1 to about 30 weight percent of a binder having a d90 particle size of less than 10 microns (wherein the binder weight percent is based on the total weight of the washcoat). In another aspect of the invention, the catalyst washcoat is applied to a wall-flow filter to form a catalyst article. In another aspect of the invention the catalyst article is part of an exhaust gas treatment system. And in yet another aspect of the invention, provided is a method for treating exhaust gas using the catalyst article.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of producing metal diboride nanomaterials having thickness down to the atomic scale and lateral areas from 10 nm to over 1 ?m by preparing a mixture of a metal diboride and a suspending solution. The suspending solution can be an organic solvent or a solution containing water, and optionally can include a dispersion agent, such as a surfactant, a polymer, small molecule, or biopolymer. Further, the method includes exfoliating the metal diboride by exposing the mixture to ultrasonic energy, centrifuging the mixture forming supernatant that includes a dispersion of exfoliated metal diborides, and extracting the dispersion from the supernatant. Some embodiments include extracting the supernatant and casting the solution by diluting the dispersion with a second suspending solution that includes dissolved polymer. This can result in a composite film includes a dispersion of the exfoliated metal diborides and provides improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a process by which an engineer can provide as input the design, functional verification goals, and other abstract design details, and receive as output an agent which can be integrated into traditional test benches and will generate stimuli to automatically hit the functional coverage goals for the design. The present invention may employ a system which includes a learning configurator, a learning-based test generator, and a test bench. The learning test generator is communicatively coupled to the generator and notably comprises a learning algorithm.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of a pathogen infection are described. In particular, this document provides a method of detecting target nucleic acids, such as pathogen-specific RNA, in a biological sample obtained from a subject, where the method comprises using one or more toehold switch sensors and an isothermal amplification step to detect the target nucleic acid. Methods specific for detecting and identify the presence of a virus such as Zika virus are also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for treating an exhaust gas, the catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve, the molecular sieve comprising exchanged copper and exchanged manganese.

Abstract: Ultraspecific, programmable nucleic acid sensors capable of detecting and preferentially amplifying target DNA molecules comprising a particular SNP or mutation are provided. In some cases, the ultraspecific programmable nucleic acid sensors are useful for detecting SNP-containing DNA molecules indicative of cancer such as cell-free DNA circulating in the blood or indicative of organ transplant rejection Also provided are methods for construction of such ultraspecific nucleic acid sensors and methods for preferential amplification of target DNA molecules containing a mutation of interest, as well as testing systems for early cancer screening and routine monitoring of circulating cancer DNA using liquid biological samples such as serum, plasma, or saliva.

Abstract: A method of separating carbon nanotubes by electronic type includes centrifuging a carbon nanotube composition in contact with a first fluid medium comprising a first density gradient; and separating the carbon nanotube composition into two or more separation fractions. The carbon nanotube composition comprises two or more non-ionic amphiphilic surface active components and a carbon nanotube population comprising double-walled carbon nanotubes having a semiconducting outer wall (s-DWCNTs), and double-walled carbon nanotubes having a metallic outer wall (m-DWCNTs). The two or more separation fractions comprise a first separation fraction comprising a carbon nanotube subpopulation comprising a higher percentage of s-DWCNTs than the carbon nanotube population, and a second separation fraction comprising a carbon nanotube subpopulation comprising a higher percentage of m-DWCNTs than the carbon nanotube population.

Abstract: Provided herein is a RNA-based riboregulator that detects protein translation and uses this stimulus to regulate expression of an unrelated protein. In one embodiment, provided herein is a synthetic nucleic acid molecule configured as a translation-sensing riboregulator, where the synthetic nucleic acid molecule comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, a translation-sensing riboswitch (TSR), and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein the translation-sensing riboswitch comprises a stop codon of the first nucleotide sequence, a fully or partially double-stranded stem-forming domain, and translation initiation elements of the second nucleotide sequence.